Online Reporter
Paul Pindani in CHINHOYI
DEBUTANTS, Chinhoyi Rangers produced a brilliant show to beat arch-rivals Chinhoyi Stars 1-0 in the Northern Region Soccer League local derby before a bumper, appreciative crowd at Chinhoyi Stadium on Saturday.
The derby thriller typically featured a combination of elements that created an intense, memorable experience for players and fans alike.
What made the game more exciting was the long-standing rivalry between the two teams that added the emotional weight to the game.
The goal that separated both teams was scored by Rangers’ number 9 barely three minutes after the breather to jerk the visitors’ fans out of their seats to break into song and dance.
It was a gem of a goal meant for the archives.
In a post-match interview, Chinhoyi Stars coach Arnold Dangarembizi told H-Metro that he was excited of the derby win.
“For this one, I think the match was balanced. We controlled the game for much of the minutes in the first half of the game. But the most unfortunate thing is we didn’t find the back of the net to utilize our advantage,” said Dangarembizi.
He blamed loss of concentration for the defeat as Rangers came back from the breather and got an early and decisive goal.
“I guess it was a matter of loss of concentration in our central defending position.
“But again, we picked up ourselves and started playing with same manner we played in the second half.
“So, I think for the day, it went all down to us in not finding the back of the net,” he said.
Dangarembizi said his team managed to maintain the same performance from the first minute.
“But looking at the side that we have, it’s a new side and I think the performance is very positive going into the new season.
“And I am very confident that we can pick ourselves up and correct the few mistakes that we made today, and I am very confident that we can start collecting results,” said Dangarembizi.
Rangers’ gaffer, Ndawana Dube is looking forward to a good season.
“ In our next game we try to improve on our shortcomings and ratify that. We promise the fans that we will try to do our level best,” said Dube.
He added:
“We are going to play against Zambezi next week here at home and every game has got its own pressure and is a must win,” said Dube.
He said his team play every game like a cup final.
“We managed to defend very well of which it was lack of enough warm ups to us, but in the second half we came up strongly and we did some tactical changes,” said Dube.
He said it was a game worth watching.
“I give credit to Stars, they played very well and in that first half they didn’t realize their chances when they were top of us but I salute them,” said Dube.
derick.khumalo