Online Reporter
Sports Reporter
WHEN Moreblessing Phiri made a huge blunder, in FC Hunters’ 0-3 defeat at the hands of Scottland at Rufaro, it triggered a wave of accusations.
One of them was that the giant ‘keeper did not commit a mistake but it was probably a deliberate move to help the champions win the game in their quest to defend their crown.
It didn’t matter to those analysts, and critics, that by the time Phiri committed his blunder, the game was effectively over as his team was already 0-2 down.
His coach, Nesbert Saruchera, refused to condemn his ‘keeper and said, in his post-match comments, that mistakes like that happen in football and he has seen a lot of them, both as a player and coach. On Saturday, Phiri made another big mistake when he allowed what appeared to be a tame effort, from Prince Dube, to win the match for Hardrock 2-1 at Rufaro.
FC Hunters, having been reduced to 10-man for an awful foul by Emmanuel Zinyama, were holding on for dear life as the match entered the final seconds with the scores tied 1-1.
However, Prince Dube, who has been a revelation at Hardrock since his arrival during the mid-season transfer window, had other ideas in those tense closing moments.
Knowing that a draw would see them slipping five points behind Scottland, Dube fired on instinct, from the edge of the box.
He has been in the game long enough to know that only those who buy tickets stand a chance to win the lottery.
His snap shot appeared to lack the venom to trouble the ‘keeper but Phiri somehow saw it slip from his grasp into the nets.
Saruchera, who defended his goalkeeper against Scottland, will probably do so again and point to the fact that before this, he had made some fine saves.
With both Scottland, who edged Simba Bhora 2-1 in a tough battle at Wadzaai, and Hardrock winning on the road, the difference between the top two teams remains just three points.
With seven games still to be played, representing 21 points, this looks like a championship race for the ages between the two teams.
Hardrock want to emulate Scottland’s success last year by winning the league championship in their first season in the PSL.
The Scotts are battling to become the first side to win back-to-back league titles in their first two seasons in the to-flight league.
