daniel chigunwe
Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje
GreenFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)1
Yadah FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Anelka Chivandire’s first-half strike was enough to give Saul Chaminuka’s GreenFuel maximum points in what was his first win at home since taking over as head coach in the Castle Lager Premiership match against Yadah FC at the Green-Fuel Arena yesterday.
Chivandire gave Yadah an early scare with his fantastic solo run, but visiting goalkeeper George Munhupedzi was alert as he blocked the effort before Bruno Mtigo’s rebounded effort missed the target from close range in the 7th minute.
James Nguluve got another chance to give the home side an early lead but fluffed his chance, sending his effort over the bar, with only the keeper to beat inside the opening 20 minutes. Chivandire, who was the best player in the first half, gave the hosts a deserved lead with a well-struck shot from 18 yards out in the 33rd minute, giving Munhupedzi no chance.
Veteran Khama Billiat almost levelled matters with a snapshot but defender Tashinga Pfende recovered well, putting his body on the line and deflecting the goal-bound effort for a corner kick ,after his earlier mistake gave Billiat a good chance with two first-half minutes remaining.
Billiat got another chance 10 minutes into the second half after he was brilliantly sent through by Evans Rusike, but his shot was deflected wide as the visitors kept knocking on the door.
Tables soon turned as the home side created a handful of good chances in a phase where they could have scored at least a goal but were not clinical in front of goals.
First, it was Tinotenda Meke whose decision-making in the final third was poor, after a quick break, skying his chance before Yadah goalkeeper Munhupedzi kept his side in the game by saving James Nguluve’s strike from six yards out.
Yadah’s captain almost scored an awful own goal under pressure but was relieved to see his effort crash against the crossbar, after a mix-up with his goalkeeper. Ngulube could not believe his eyes as he also crashed his effort against the crossbar from a rebound just two yards off the goal line in the 84th minute. Yadah could have snatched a point with the last chance of the game in the referee’s optional time, but substitute Ariel Makopa’s strike was slightly touched by Chilenga and crashed against the crossbar, in what was the moment of the match as the home side celebrated the deserved three points.
Teams:
GreenFuel: Tapiwa Chilenga, Tashinga Pfende, Reginald Chinemo, Brian Chikwenya, Bruno Mtigo, Mandlenkosi Gasela, James Nguluve, Learnmore Muyambo (Collins Dhuwa 58min), Tinotenda Meke (Nelson Mwasanga 90min), Anelka Chivandire (Washington Mapiwa 68min)
Yadah: George Munhupedzi, Khama Billiat, Evans Rusike (Ariel Makopa 79min), Blessed Ndereki, Marvellous Fa-ranando, Jerry Chipangura, Lennox Mucheto (Mandlenkosi Mlilo 64min), Anotidaishe Gwatidzo, Marlon Mushonga (Prosper Kafelapanjila 79min) Clive Mandivei, Emmanuel Chitauro
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter