adminRicky Zililo, Sports Reporter
Bulawayo Chiefs …………………………………………..(0) 1
Mpumalanga United ………………………………………….0BULAWAYO Chiefs laboured to a slender victory against a determined Mpumalanga United in the final of the Machache Meats Zifa Southern Region Division One Soccer League tournament played at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
A priceless 61st minute goal by Tedious Mugumanja was enough for Bulawayo Chiefs to lift the cup after the former Quelaton striker capitalised on a defensive boob by Mpumalanga’s Thembinkosi “Tinkler” Rendo who failed to deal with a long throw-in by Wilberforce Chiramba. Mugumanja ghosted from the blind side to head the ball past an advancing Mpumalanga goalkeeper Harmony Nare.
Bulawayo Chiefs went into the final as favourites but were made to sweat for their victory as the Hwange based club matched them man for man.
Both teams missed a number of scoring opportunities with Bulawayo Chiefs’ first chance falling to Moreblessing Nyokanhete 12 minutes into the match but the ex-Bantu Rovers striker shot straight at Nare.
Shepherd Ncube orchestrated Mpumalanga United’s moves and was a thorn in the flesh every time he was in possession. Bulawayo Chiefs’ goalkeeper Talent Sande went airborne in the 57th minute to tip a ferocious long-range volley by Artwell Nyoni for a corner and in the process denied Mpumalanga United the lead.
Four minutes later Mugumanja put Bulawayo Chiefs into the lead after Rendo had failed to clear a long throw-in from the left.
In the 67th minute, Mpumalanga United had their appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Thembinkosi Sibanda after Bulawayo Chiefs’ captain Lindelani “Vice” Ncube appeared to have handled the ball under challenge from his opponent.
Mpumalanga United’s goalkeeper Nare made a good save in the 69th minute to deny George Majika who had exchanged passes with Bulawayo Chiefs’ best player of the day Cleopas “Balloteli” Dube a goal from close range. The Hwange club pushed their men upfront in search of an equaliser but found Bulawayo Chiefs’ defence hard to crack.
Bulawayo Chiefs’ coach Rahman Gumbo praised his players for winning the competition.
“This was typical of a final where everyone knew what was at stake and gave their best. I am happy that we won and this victory is really motivating to the players especially since we are coming from a midweek defeat to Quelaton. Today we created lots of chances and at least we converted one and managed to hold on,” said Gumbo.
Mthenjwa Moyo, the Mpumalanga United’s assistant coach blamed poor officiating for their defeat.
“We are not happy with the level of officiating. That penalty appeal which we were not given could have changed the complexion of the game. We also gave them an easy goal but overall the boys played well and I think we were better than them,” said Moyo.
In the third place play-off, Black Boots beat Hwange Juniors 2-0.
Teams
Bulawayo Chiefs: Talent Sande, Preference Mpofu, Emmanuel Ndebele, Lindelani Ncube, Wilberforce Chiramba, Innocent Kutsanzira (Trevor Nkomo 46th minute), Gift Saunyama, George Majika, Moreblessing Nyokanhete (Mkhululi Sibanda 80th minute), Cleopas Dube, Tedious Mugumanja
Mpumalanga United: Harmony Nare, Peter Chihota, Thembinkosi Rendo, Shepherd Ncube, Godknows Dube, Lovemore Dube, Bekithemba Nyoni (Clever Tamirepi 77th minute), Thabani Ndlovu (Peter Phiri 40th minute), Peter Gani, Artwell Nyoni, Clayton Lungu
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