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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
LOG leaders Flame Lilly ran riot on Saturday, winning 4-1 against a 10-man DStv Rangers at Lafarge to hold on to the top spot as the championship race draws to a close in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league. Flame Lilly got their goals from Edwin Madhanhanga, Webster Muronda and Prosper Chinyama and an own goal by DStv Rangers.Rangers, who were reduced to 10 men in the second half when veteran striker Gilbert “Gidza” Mushangazhike was sent-off for an off-the-ball incident, found their consolation goal from Kudakwashe Manuwere.
The win saw Flame Lilly maintaining their one-point lead over their nearest rivals Gunners, who are also in hot pursuit of the league title.
Gunners dismissed Starbill 2-0 at Rufaro on Saturday, thanks to a brace from McDonald Motsi while third-placed Mushowani dropped two precious points when they were held to a goalless draw by Blue Swallows at Manyame.
Mushowani, who are also gunning for promotion, are now five points behind the log leaders but they are still placed third on the log table as there were no changes for the top five teams despite the fact that some of the teams dropped points.
Flame Lilly coach, Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, was impressed with his side’s performance at the weekend and said they will do their level best to ensure that they remain in control of the championship race.
“It was very tough, like I have said before, all games we play are very tough but we managed to win. We are doing well and we are going to fight very hard to stay on top. We are in total control.
“Football is a pressure game, pressure will always be there but we need to keep on working hard to maintain that lead,” Saruchera said.
DStv Rangers coach, Ikabort Masocha, conceded defeat and said his troops failed to contain the marauding log leaders.
“We collapsed within a space of five minutes when Gilbert Mushangazhike was sent-off just after we had equalised and we failed to contain the log leaders. But I wouldn’t want to centre on that only because as a group we didn’t stamp our authority, we could not hold on to the ball.
“We had our moments but it really didn’t count much because after the equaliser we thought we were back into the game but five minutes later we got a red card. We tried to reorganise but we failed. And to be honest Flame Lilly for me in all the games we have played in the league, they really impose themselves physically.
“Clubs in the Northern Region no longer take it seriously to consider size and physical fitness. Yes, technically you may be good but physical fitness counts, we couldn’t match them physically,” said Masocha.
In other matches ZRP Football Club thumped struggling Royal Classic 6-0 in a one-sided affair at Morris.
Results
Blue Swallows 0, Mushowani 0; DStv Rangers 1, Flame Lilly 4; Commando 0, ZRP Morris 1; Lake Harvest 2, Karoi 0; Starbill 0, Gunners 2; ZRP Football Club 6, Royal Classic 0; DC Academy 0, Seven Flames 0; Ngezi Platinum 0, Twalumba 0; Chegutu 0, Bindura 0.
Latest Log Table
P W D L F A Pts
Flame Lilly 30 19 7 4 33 10 64
Gunners 30 18 9 3 41 14 63
Mushowani 30 17 8 5 35 15 53
Bindura United 30 15 8 7 26 19 53
Ngezi Platinum 30 13 8 9 31 17 47
Commando 30 11 12 7 27 21 45
ZRP Football Club 30 12 7 11 42 23 43
Karoi United 30 12 6 12 29 25 42
DStv Rangers 30 11 8 11 28 28 41
DC Academy 30 9 13 8 28 27 40
Starbill 29 12 4 12 29 30 40
Lake Harvest 30 12 3 15 34 35 39
ZRP Morris 30 8 11 11 28 26 35
Seven Flames 30 7 14 9 24 35 35
Blue Swallows 30 7 9 14 18 24 30
Chegutu Pirates 29 7 5 17 14 39 26
Twalumba 30 4 11 15 12 31 23
Royal Classic 30 2 4 24 13 73 9
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