malvernmugadzikwa
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herantals . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Yadah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
FORMER Zimbabwe international Khama Billiat stole the limelight in an incident-filled Castle Lager Premier League Soccer match between Herentals and Yadah at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The former Kaizer Chiefs forward grabbed attention for the wrong reasons as he was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute by referee Thanks Nyahuye for violent conduct against Herentals substitute goalkeeper Nevermind Antonio.
Yadah FC coach Thomas Ruzive avoided commenting on the referees’ performance, including Billiat’s sending off.
“I am not qualified to comment on the issue, maybe the officials know better and the reason for the red card,” said Ruzive.
Herentals won the match courtesy of an 11th minute strike by man-of-the-match Godfrey Mukambi.
With former Maritzburg United forward Evans Rusike guilty of missing the target for Yadah, Ruzive felt his charges could have done better had they converted the chances that came their way.
“I think my guys played very well despite that we lost the match one nil,” he said.
“We created a lot of chances but failed to convert the chances that came our way.”
It was a typical derby between the two Harare sides, and for Herentals coach Paul Benza, the match lived up to its expectations.
“Our games against Yadah all these years have always been like this,” he said.
“We did not expect anything less and whatever happened in the game we expected it.
“It is a derby and I am happy that we have managed to collect three points.”
Having gone into yesterday’s match placed second from bottom on the log standings, Benza felt his charges needed the victory more than their counterparts.
“The win is very important to us considering that we were sitting second from the bottom, so we wanted to collect the three points at whatever cost, which was necessary for us,” said the Herentals gaffer.
Interestingly, in what could be a first in the local league, the goalkeepers for both teams were substituted 10 minutes after the break.
Yadah’s first choice, Marshal Takarinda, was pulled out after sustaining a knee injury, while the Herentals goalkeeper, Tafadzwa Chikosi, is said to have fallen sick during the match as he started vomiting and was replaced by second choice Antonio.
Nyahuye was not in control of the game and there was a real danger of another ill-fated encounter, especially in the second half, where anarchy reigned supreme on the respective technical benches.
Manica Diamonds moved top of the league after winning 2-0 away to ZPC Kariba.
Second-half goals from Fortune Binzi (47th minute) and Tapera (59th minute) were enough to take Jairos Tapera’s charges top of the league with 19 points from 10 matches, one point ahead of Highlanders, who face newcomers Arenel Movers in a Bulawayo derby today.
This marks a remarkable turnaround for Tapera, who was voted the April Castle Lager Coach of the Month after five successive wins.
At Baobab Stadium, champions Ngezi Platinum beat Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0, courtesy of a 34th minute goal from Takunda Benhura, who had been sent through by goalkeeper Nelson Chadya.
The win moved Ngezi Platinum into eighth position and was a huge relief for coach Takesure Chiragwi, who was under immense pressure, with speculation that he had been given an ultimatum.
At Mandava Stadium, former champions FC Platinum bounced back to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Green Fuel, with captain Rainsome Pavari grabbing the match winner midway in the second half.
Meanwhile, many who watched the match at Barbourfields Stadium felt Dynamos should have easily walked away with three points as they dominated play against Chicken Inn.
The visitors had much of the possession and created better chances. They had two penalty calls turned down in the first half, both handling offences. DeMbare started the first half a well-oiled machine, only to fail to get the ball on target out of numerous chances that came their way.
The first attempt and one that could have separated the teams came in the 15th minute.
Dynamos striker Emmanuel Paga was to position himself well as he forced an overhead kick.
That effort was met with a brilliant save from Chicken Inn goalkeeper Donovan Bernard. It was again a Dynamos affair in the second half, although Chicken Inn had some flashes in the middle of the park, with Michael Charamba playing well.
Given the number of substitutions made, it was clear that coaches from both sides were looking for that elusive killer strike.
In the 53th minute, Donald Mudadi for Dynamos unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box. It went wide.
Charamba sent in a good cross from the left wing, which Brian Muza connected with the head, but the ball went over the bar.
Five minutes later, Muza got the opportunity to beat Dynamos’ Kelvin Moyo for pace. He was pulled down and the DeMbare skipper was yellow-carded.
Just before the stroke of full time, Dynamos were on the raid, but the script read the same — missed chances and failure to pull shots at goal.
The two sides played to a goalless stalemate.
Online Reporter