Chronicle Editor
Oscar Rusenga in TRIANGLE
Manica Diamonds………………(1) 3
Bulawayo Chiefs………………….(1)1
THEY might have played in an empty stadium but there were was a four-goal thriller to savour for the few people who were at Gibbo Stadium to watch Manica Diamonds dazzle Bulawayo Chiefs in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie yesterday.
The victory helped the Gem Boys to cement their position in third place and move to within a point of second-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars, who play table-toppers Highlanders today.
Manica Diamonds also did themselves a favour by creating a gap between themselves and faltering champions FC Platinum, who slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat to debutants Sheasham at Mandava. At Gibbo, the hosts shot into a sixth-minute lead after Panashe Mutasa’s goal-bound effort took a wicked deflection off a defender, deceiving Chiefs goalkeeper Khulekani Dube in the process. The visitors were quick with their response, as in-form Obriel Chirinda levelled terms in the 16th minute.
It was Chirinda’s fourth goal at Gibbo in two successive weekends.
He grabbed a hat-trick at the same venue last week when leading Chiefs to victory over Triangle. His latest goal took his tally to nine, one goal shy of injured Manica Diamonds forward Fortune Binzi’s.
Despite conceding the goal, Manica Diamonds dominated exchanges and fashioned out numerous chances. With Michael Tapera missing opportunities that came his way, the Gem Boys were left to rue Binzi’s absence.
Brett Amidu doubled the lead with a well-taken low shot from outside the box in the 66th minute, giving Dube, who had a busy afternoon, no chance. For Chiefs, Mthokozisi Msebe had a good outing and combined well with the seasoned Danny Phiri.
The latter tried to level scores for the second time with a thunderbolt in the 74th minute but his effort went inches wide of Tedious Baye’s goal. After fluffing his lines for much of the afternoon, Tapera eventually made amends when he got onto the scoresheet in the 88th minute.
He dispossessed the Chiefs goalkeeper before prodding home. In a Premiership that is struggling for venues, Manica Diamonds will now play their next four fixtures at Gibbo, to make five games in a row at their home away from home. They will face CAPS United, Triangle, Green Fuel and Herentals.
Their coach Jairos Tapera was naturally happy with yesterday’s result.
“I thought we should have scored more than three goals . . . but I am happy with the three points,” he said.
“I am happy with the three goals, especially after losing our last game against Highlanders . . .
“We are travelling a lot and we will play five consecutive fixtures at Gibbo and we hope to collect at least 12 points.”
Teams:
Manica Diamonds : Tedious Baye, Lawrence Masibera (Gerald Bhero 62min), Brian Chikwenya, Tawanda Chisi, Kelvin Gwao, Jeffrey Takunda, Talent Chamboko (Ralph Kawondera 90min), Bret Amidu (Liberty Chakoroma 90min), Michael Tapera, Farai Banda (Charles Teguru, Panashe Mutasa (Pasca Manhanga 80min)
Bulawayo Chiefs : Khulekani Dube, Joe Sibanda, Panashe Shoko, Mthokozisi Msebe, Ayanda Ncube, Obriel Chirinda, Malvin Mkolo, Danny Phiri, Mandlenkosi Gasela, Felix Moyo, Farau Matare
Online Reporter