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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho FC 1-1 Dongo Sawmills
TSHOLOTSHO FC lived to rue missed scoring opportunities, dropping two vital points at home against winless Dongo Sawmills to remain hovering in the relegation zone.
The Zhwane boys are still searching for their first victory in Bulawayo where they’ve played seven games — losing four matches and drawing three.
Having started the season on a high note, beating Harare City 1-0 at Rufaro Stadium in Week One, expectations were high that Tsholotsho FC would give fellow Premiership teams a good run for their money but alas, they have found the going tough, especially in Bulawayo.
Tsholotsho FC, whose last victory was in Week Five against Whawha in Gweru, were fired up at White City Stadium, pressing their opponents from the first whistle but failed to turn their dominance into goals.
The home team’s continuous pressure nearly paid off in the ninth minute when referee Allen Bhasvi awarded them a penalty after Dongo Sawmills’ veteran Evans Chikwaikwai handled in the box trying to block a William Stima goal bound shot from a freekick.
Ocient Ncube stepped up to take the spot kick and shot over the bar having sent Dongo Sawmills goalkeeper Forward Pfumojena the wrong way.
Three minutes later, Tsholotsho FC fluffed another clear cut chance after Ericko Phiri left his marker for dead on the right side and sent in a perfect cross to the box which eluded central defenders to land on Simba Gorogodyo. Gorogodyo — scorer of the first goal of the season — hit the upright with goalkeeper out of sight.
The visitors who were hunting for their first win of the season were on the back foot for the better part of the first half and survived another scare just after the half-hour mark when Stima headed a Ncube cross straight to Pfumojena’s hands.
In the 41st minute, Ncube made amends for the penalty miss heading home a Stima cross to give Tsholotsho FC a deserved lead.
The Zhwane Boys returned from the breather still fired up but their forwards continued being wasteful.
Gorogodyo sold his marker a dummy in the 55th minute to come face to face with Dongo Sawmills goalkeeper but his curler missed the target.
Two minutes later, the striker got to the end of a Kudzanai Machazane defence splitting pass but failed to beat Pfumojena from close range.
With 19 minutes left, Dongo Sawmills pulled out their best player of the day Shepherd Sithole for Last Jesi and the latter went on to create a goal with his first touch, taking a corner kick which was headed home by Stephin Elias.
Elias had replaced Tatenda Chiunya in the 53rd minute.
That goal was enough for Dongo Sawmills to get a point in Bulawayo.
Tsholotsho FC’s assistant coach Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda said lack of composure cost them maximum points.
“On the positive side we got a valuable point and created numerous chances. We’ve to work on our finishing because the boys lacked composure. We’ll get it right soon,” said Sibanda.
Dongo Sawmills were elated with the point with assistant coach Dananai Chinowawa saying: “Getting a point on the road is good for us because at home we’re always under pressure from supporters. I’m sure this point gives the boys confidence to go and fight for maximum points when we take on Caps United .”
Tsholotsho’s next assignment is an away trip to Dynamos and the sooner the technical bench realises that time is running out, the better.
Teams
Tsholotsho FC: Nickel Marichi, MacClive Phiri, Nkosilathi Moyo, Donald Dzvinyu, Thandolwethu Ncube, Butholezwe Ncube, Ocient Ncube (Ricky Bota, 77th minute), Simbarashe Gorogodyo (Gerald Takwara, 73rd minute), Kudzanai Machazane, William Stima, Ericko Phiri (Lynnoth Chikuhwa, 77th minute)
Dongo Sawmills: Forward Pfumojena, Martin Tapiwa, Njovo Khumbulani, Evans Chikwaikwai, Kudzai Chideu, Derek Chitsanzara, Shepherd Sithole (Last Jesi, 70th minute), Tatenda Chiunya (Stephin Elias, 53rd minute), Lawrence Masibera, Physwell Madhazi, Collins Dhuwa (Blessing Dzumbunu, 63rd minute)
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