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Neville Dube
Sports Reporter
Black Mambas………………….. (0) 1
Golden Eagles…………………… (0) 2
CONTROVERSY marred Golden Eagles’ second win of the season as the debutants dispatched Black Mambas during what could have been a thrilling encounter at Morris Depot yesterday.
A controversial goal awarded to Tafadzwa Nyabunze from the referee Brighton Wagoneka, nine minutes before the hour mark, ended up being the major talking point rather than Eagles’ good start.
The goal gave the visitors a good start, after which substitute Claude Mapoka made sure of the three points in the 79th minute after Mambas had equalised through Wesley Chifamba’s tap in.
Both teams wasted clear opportunities in the first half.
A clearly frustrated John Ncube opted for the diplomatic stance, choosing to mostly comment on his Mambas’ charges after the match.
“It was a tough game, but I am happy with my team’s performance,” said Ncube.
“It’s unfortunate that we lost at home.
“Football is a game of emotions; the referees are there to do their jobs, and it’s not our mandate to control them.
“As a coach I am paid to coach my team, and not to make decisions for the referees.
” This is a new team and I think we are getting there,” he said.
His counterpart, Joel Luphahla, was happy with the result.
“We started slowly, losing the first match, but we are coming out and I am sure by the time we play our fifth or sixth match you will see us at our best,” said Luphahla.
“I think we had three of the most difficult opening matches, playing Simba Bhora, Chegutu Pirates and now Mambas.
“It was never going to be easy for us.
“The Simba Bhora game was a wakeup call for us, and I think we can still play better than what we have done so far”.
Northern Region Division Results
Trojan FC 2 — 1 Blanket United
Golden Valley FC 5 — 1 Harare City Clubs FC
Chinhoyi Stars 2 — 0 CUMA FC
Herentials 1 — 0 Ngezi Platinum U19 FC
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