Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR the first time in a long time this season, there is a new face at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log standings — that of impressive debutants Hardrock.
Although it may be for at least 24 hours depending on the outcome of the Harare Derby featuring Dynamos against CAPS United this afternoon, Hardrock will cherish their moment at the summit.
The Kwekwe side could even remain there should CAPS United fall to DeMbare. After pumping half a dozen goals past hapless FC Hunters last weekend, Kelvin Kaindu’s men were unrelenting yesterday, thumping ailing TelOne 3-0 in a Midlands derby at Ascot.
Kaindu’s side put on a polished performance that took their points tally to 24, two ahead of CAPS United.
Reigning Soccer Star of the Year Washington Navaya, who has found his range again, opened the scoring, converting a penalty early in the match before Sambulo Simelani doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Simelani then completed his brace early in the second half to secure the win for the Kasongo Boys, who have now scored nine goals in 180 minutes.
But Kaindu is not getting carried away with his side’s purple patch.
“It is too early to be talking about the title,” he said.
“We want to take each game as it comes. For us, we are a newly promoted side, there are big teams already there.
“It is an advantage that we are picking up points this early in the season, we are also getting the goals and today we kept a clean sheet, which is good.’’
It was baptism of fire for new TelOne coach Saul Chaminuka, who has replaced the sacked Herbert Maruwa.
He felt the encounter gave him an insight on the state of the WI-FI Boys.
“I learnt a lot of things about the team today; for instance, the two chances that we missed in the opening stages,” Chaminuka reflected.
“Then the defending from the midfield going backwards, we gave in, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.
“But the turning point in the game was the penalty. After that penalty we failed to get back into the game.”
No winning return for Mapeza at Mandava
Norman Mapeza made his first visit back at Mandava, but there was no success for the revered coach on his return to the venue where he won three Premiership titles. He sat in the opposition dugout for the first time since his departure from FC Platinum for Scottland, but in yesterday’s game, the reigning champions could only bag a point from an otherwise frustrating goalless draw.
FC Platinum coach Joel Luphahla was content with the point.
“We give credit to the boys; Scottland is a big team,” he said.
“I think my boys played well, but we can’t take away the fact that we’re still looking for three points. We haven’t been winning for some time and it’s not good for our boys’ confidence.
“But I’m happy we’re grinding out some draws and the way my boys played today, you can tell they wanted it more.”
Mapeza was also happy with the result.“It was a balanced affair, and we never created decent chances,” he said.
“In the second half, our decision-making wasn’t good. In the final third, we couldn’t hold onto the ball and I think today is one of those games we didn’t do much because there were moments we were giving the ball away unnecessarily.”
Simba Bhora resurgence continues
Simba Bhora finally ended an 18-game wait for three consecutive league victories after edging ZPC Kariba 2-1 in a tightly contested encounter at Wadzanai. The Shamva outfit last managed three wins in succession on August 23 last year when they defeated Kwekwe United 3-1 after narrow victories over MWOS and Chicken Inn. Simba Bhora took control of the match in the 33rd minute after striker Harrison Masina won a penalty, with captain Webster Tafa calmly converting from the spot to hand the hosts the lead.
The home side doubled their advantage in the second half through substitute Junior Petrus, who produced an audacious overhead kick after ZPC Kariba failed to clear a harmless header from Blessed Ndereki.
Despite trailing by two goals, the visitors continued to press forward and were rewarded in the 84th minute when Remington Masuku pulled one back after Simba Bhora defender Ishmael Nyanhi failed to deal with a cross into the box.
ZPC Kariba coach, Newman Mashipe, felt his side failed to execute their plan despite arriving with intentions of ending Simba Bhora’s fine run.
The win sees Simba Bhora jumping to fourth position and five points behind overnight log leaders Hardrock.
MWOS rediscover winning touch
Substitute Principe Magondo gave MWOS a whole new dimension with a super performance that he wrapped up with a sweet goal from a free-kick to give the Punters a deserved win over Chicken Inn at Ngoni yesterday.
Victory helped MWOS to crawl up the ladder with 17 points in 11 games and stay within sight of the leading pack.
The game was intense, with Chicken Inn buoyed by their 2-1 win over Dynamos in their previous game, which handed the Harare giants their first defeat of the season.
Gem Boys finally find their glow
Maybe it indeed needed new ownership for Manica Diamonds to finally find their range.
The Gem Boys powered to their first victory of this season’s Premiership campaign, condemning AGAMA to a 3-1 defeat at Sakubva.
Manica Diamonds’ first win in 11 matches also coincided with their return to their favourite hunting ground – Sakubva – in Mutare.
Russell Kahiki opened the scoring for the hosts in the 55th minute, before Farai Banda (82nd minute) and Malone Madziriri right at the death sealed their victory.
Ralph Nyamupikira had pulled one back for the visitors, but it was not good enough to stop Manica Diamonds from celebrating what has been a rare triumph.
Manica Diamonds new coach, Patrick Mandizha, heaved a huge sigh of relief after the game.
“This was a well-deserved win and what makes it sweeter is that it happens when we have just returned to our home ground Sakubva stadium,” he said.
“This result will go a long way in helping the team fight its way out of the bottom part of the table.”
AGAMA coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe said: “It was a bad day in the office. We could have done better but it is what it is. We just have to fight on.”
Elsewhere at The Heart, Ngezi Platinum Stars dropped two points on the road when being held 1-1 by Hunters but, crucially, remained unbeaten in the campaign.
