Online Reporter
Cuthworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
RESURGENT Golden Eagles eased into third place on the Northern Region Soccer League log standings following a thrilling 3-1 away win over Harare City at Gwanzura yesterday.
With Black Rhinos who had been third ahead of yesterday’s round of fixtures, slumping to a 1-0 defeat by Zambezi G&C, the Eagles took full advantage to stay within shouting distance of the leading pair of N’ombeyawora and second-placed Agama.
Golden Eagles have 36 points from 19 matches, five behind N’ombeyawora and Agama.
Yet Golden Eagles had to come from behind to win with coach Arthur Gorejena praising his team’s resilience and game plan, which focused on having numbers in midfield.
“I am delighted the guys did very well. And maybe you couldn’t believe it that we came from behind to win this game.
“For us to come back from behind I think we did our homework in training.
“We had a game plan that needed us to have numbers in the midfield and it worked for us.
“You can look at the type of goals we scored.”
Gorejena said he had enjoyed the first half of the proceedings.
“The first half of the season was quite an exciting one and a competitive one.
“Going into the second half of the season our target is to beat the mark we reached last season.
“So, for now we are chasing ourselves, when we surpass that then we can talk of something this season,” Gorejena said.
Harare City assistant coach Tendai Samanja was left disappointed by the way his side applied themselves.
“We started well and got a goal.
“We encouraged our guys to keep on searching for another goal to extend our lead. But our boys decided to sit. Our defence was making poor decisions and it cost us.
“For me, today, is the worst Harare City I have seen in years.
“Some of our players I can say they have a bad attitude, you wonder what’s wrong with them even if you look at the red card incident.
“It doesn’t work because we end up being defeated like we did today at home,” said Samanja.
The match between FC Oden and Banket United scheduled for today at Chinhoyi Stadium marks the end of the first half of the season.
The league will resume on August 2.
It was another fine day in the office for new Agama coach Paul “Popopo’’ Chimalizeni, who saw the Mt Darwin side silence Moses Chunga’s Chegutu Pirates 1-0 at Pfupajena.
Agama are level on 41 points with N’ombeyawora but Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera’s newboys sit atop because of superior goal difference.
Only the top team at the end of the season secures promotion to the Premier Soccer League.
Results:
MWOS U-19 0-0 Karoi United; Ngezi U-19 0-1 N’ombeyawora; PAM 1-0 Shamva Mine, Harare City 1-3 Golden Eagles; Black Rhinos 0-1 Zambezi G&C; Cranborne Bullets 1-0 Chinhoyi Stars; Chinhoyi Rangers 1-0 Trojan Stars, Ali Sundowns 0-1 Black Mambas; Chegutu Pirates 0-1 Agama
Fixture:
FC Oden vs Banket United (Chinhoyi)
