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Tadious Manyepo in GWERU
Sheasham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FOR the fourth time running, playing at home, new boys Sheasham posted yet another goalless draw in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Bata Stadium yesterday.
The construction experts have never been breached; neither have they been able to score since they started using Bata Stadium three months ago.
They have now played four goalless draws against log leaders Highlanders, Herentals, Ngezi Platinum Stars and Black Rhinos.
Yet they were pinned down by the soldiers for most of the match yesterday but they stood resolute, absorbing everything that the basement side threw at them.
This match was expected to bring fireworks given bragging rights were also at stake as Black Rhinos, whose support base in Gweru is growing by the day, are also calling Bata Stadium home as they are temporarily using the facility following the closure of the National Sports Stadium.
The tie was rich in every respect despite the lack of goals.
But on any other day the goals should have rained given the number of opportunities that came either way.
Black Rhinos forward Lot Chiwunga should have broken the ice when coming face to face with goalkeeper Elton Sibanda but the latter was smarter from point blank rank 22 minutes into the game.
The striker was also denied by Sibanda moments later when shooting from outside the box.
With Black Rhinos all over their opponents, Garikai Dematsika miscued his effort following a good delivery by Darren Mutimuzunze two minutes before the half hour mark.
The hosts made an injury-inspired substitution two minutes before the interval after Arnold Dirau pulled a muscle.
Sheasham came back from the back a better side using width to good effect.
But for all their dominance in the second period, Sheasham failed to fashion out any clear goal-scoring opportunities.
Sheasham coach Lizwe Sweswe lamented the draw.
“Things didn’t go as planned, we wanted all the points but we will live to fight for another day.
“I wouldn’t say our performance was affected by the first half injury but it just wasn’t our day,” said Sweswe.
“It’s worrying that we are not scoring and that’s the areas which we need to do more for us to get out of the relegation”.
His Black Rhinos counterpart Saul Chaminuka, whose side remained stuck at the bottom following this draw, was equally disappointed.
“I’m a worried man and I’m not happy at all with the results we are getting.
“Our upfront has been a big let-down for us because we are creating good chances but our strikers are not converting,” said Chaminuka.
“We started well and we could have buried the game before the restart because after the break we didn’t do much.
“Sheasham looked like a side which wanted it more and I would say it was not a good performance from the boys”.
Teams
Sheasham: Elton Sibanda, Physiwell Madhazi, Kudakwashe Musharu, Nigel Mpinduki, William Stima, Arnold Dirau (Kudakwashe Matake 43th min, David Mangesi, Roy Useni, Thubelihle Jubane, Polyester Shoko, Tanaka Chidhobha (Dinoleen Masukuta 46th min).
Black Rhinos: Lenon Gonese, Chelsea Nyakope, Gift Saunyama, Tatenda Mchisa, Daren Mutimuzunze, Nkosi Mhlanga, Evans Katema, Allen Gahadzikwa (Kudakwashe Nyakudanga 79th min), Pride Mukombwe (Sylon Chikwerengwe 79th min), Lot Chiwunga, Garikai Dematsika.
Online Reporter