FIRST DEFEAT FOR HERENTALS QUEENS

Tadious Manyepo and Arron Nyamayaro

HERENTALS QUEENS’ cruise ship, that has been rolling for 38 games, has finally been stopped.

The Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League champions, who successfully defended their crown without losing any game last season, have been so good that, for two years, they had not tasted defeat.

They still top the log after nine match-days in the league but they were finally made to experience how it feels to be on the losing side when the lost 1-0 to Black Rhinos Queens at 2 Brigade Grounds on Saturday.

This is the biggest derby in the Women’s Soccer League and fans packed the arena where they witnessed one of the best female matches in years.

Winger Passion Chihweni scored the goal that settled the tie.

The game, as expected, had its fair share of drama with referee Grace Gimo caught in-between an interesting incident.

“Herentals Queens are our biggest rivals in the league. We had to work out a formula to beat them and I am glad our game-plan worked out well,” said Chihweni.

Meanwhile, Correctional Queens have been punished for failing to provide security at their home match against ZRP Harare Queens.

Referee Grace Ndlovu ended the match, as a walkover, after giving the home team 35 minutes to secure security.

Home teams are required to provide at least two police details while Correctional Queens had engaged one police officer leaving the referee and the match commissioner Stella Ruvinga to follow the rules.

ZRP Harare Queens were awarded the match and celebrated their first three points following a series of defeats since the beginning of the season.

ZRP Harare Queens coach, Farai ‘Fago’ Guveya, said:

“My team was prepared to surprise Correctional Queens, a team dominated by seasoned players, among them some who are in the Mighty Warriors.

“We are now preparing to meet Harare City,” said Fago.