Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
In the end Bikita Minerals, GreenFuel and Yadah waved goodbye to the Castle Lager Premiership.
Bikita found the going tough, losing away to Manica Diamonds 1-0, GreenFuel could not hold on to their lead, allowing Triangle to force a 1-1 draw while Yadah lost 1-0 away to Simba Bhora.
Manica Diamonds 1-0 Bikita Minerals
In Mutare, Moffat Mungazi reports that Manica Diamonds held on to their Premiership place after edging Bikita Minerals in a tense Sakubva clash.
An early Evans Katema finish settled the contest. The veteran forward struck with barely two minutes played, reacting fastest when Bikita’s defence failed to clear their lines and steering home from close range. It was a painful blow for his former club and proved decisive by the end of the afternoon.
For Manica Diamonds caretaker coach Tafadzwa Mashiri, the result brought clear relief.
“We were under immense pressure going into the match but managed to get a victory that ensures our safety. It brings us great relief because we survive to fight another season.
“The early goal we scored helped us to settle and I am happy with the way the boys managed the game as our opponents created more chances,” said Mashiri.
Bikita Minerals recovered well after that shaky start and looked the stronger side heading into the break.
They kept pushing in the second half and twice hit the crossbar as they chased an equaliser that simply would not come.
Coach Wilson Mutekede turned to his bench for answers but the changes made little difference.
“We conceded early by giving away a soft goal and paid dearly for that. At this level of the game you get punished for that.
“Our display in the second half deserved to be rewarded as we created more chances but were not clinical. Overall, I am happy with how our young team played throughout the season as we had our own problems away from the pitch and there are also results in about eight matches that did not go our way,” said Mutekede.
Simba Bhora 1-0 Yadah
In Shamva, Tadious Manyepo reports there were no miracles for Yadah this time around as they needed to win by a big margin and count on results from the other centres.
Since their promotion in 2017, Yadah have always found a way to survive relegation.
Four times, including in 2019 and 2023, they dodged the bullet on the final day of the Premier Soccer League season.
This time it was different.
Apart from the 1-0 defeat to Simba Bhora, results from other matches also didn’t go their way.
And down they are; joining Bikita Minerals, GreenFuel and Kwekwe United who had already been relegated.
Yesterday they were down just six minutes into the game with Simba Bhora midfielder Butholezwe Ncube beating goalkeeper Taimon Mvula with an audacious outside-of-the-boot strike.
And Yadah never found a way back into it, even after earning a penalty to level matters midway through the second stanza.
One of the key quartet of players loaned to Yadah from champions Scottland; Innocent Mucheneka failed to collect himself and skied his effort over William Thole’s goal.
And just like that, the bells to First Division started ringing even louder.
Moments later, the inevitable was confirmed. It was just a matter of the means justifying the ends.
Yadah had three coaches for the term, Ikabot Masocha first, then Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe with Brenna Msiska the last to be handed the baton which he couldn’t firmly hold until disaster struck yesterday.
“I am disappointed to say the least,” said Msiska. “We should have done better but this is part of the game.”
GreenFuel 1-1 Triangle
Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje reports that Ali Sadiki’s late equaliser was enough for Triangle to survive the chop while sending GreenFuel into relegation at their own GreenFuel Arena.
It was heartbreak for GreenFuel coach Rodwell Dhlakama who was relegated again on the last day of the season last year when he was Hwange head coach.
GreenFuel started the better side playing with intensity in the opening minutes.
They continued to dominate possession in Triangle’s half and they were eventually rewarded for their tenacity with Garikai Dematsika heading home the opening goal following a good cross from Perfect Chikwende in the 20th minute.
Triangle head coach Genesis Mangombe who joined the lowveld side when they were on one point after six matches and rooted at the bottom of the log standings kept believing and made critical substitutions.
Relegations from yesterday mean the Eastern region will receive three teams GreenFuel, Bikita and Yadah while Kwekwe goes back to central region.
dyton mupawaenda