Chronicle Editor
Ray Bande in Mutare
Manica Diamonds 1-0 Highlanders
MANICA Diamonds jumped into third place following a narrow win over Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva yesterday.
Manica Diamonds and Highlanders were tied on 44 points ahead of yesterday’s match, having won 11 games, drawn as many times and suffered seven losses apiece.
Bosso, however, had a better goal difference.
The hosts surged ahead in the sixth minute after well-positioned Gem Boys defender Kelvin Gwao headed home a cross from Michael Tapera.
Highlanders showed determination to restore parity and enjoyed more ball possession, but somehow, a goal remained elusive.
The closest they came to finding the net was in the ninth minute when Never Rauzhi was set up by Gillian Nyathi but Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Godfrey Chitsumba summoned all his reflexes to parry the blistering shot over the crossbar.
Bosso were just unlucky not to equalise in the 78th minute when a well-taken Andrew Mbeba free kick hit the upright and rolled out of play with Chitsumba beaten.
In the end, Manica Diamonds maintained the slender lead to bag maximum points.
Coach Jairos Tapera was not happy with his team’s performance in the early stages of the match.
“In the first 20 minutes, we did not play well even though that was the time we got the goal. We then remodelled and managed to pick ourselves up to hold onto our lead,” he said.
He applauded his players for getting an early goal.
He said playing against Highlanders is self-motivating.
“The good thing is that we managed to get an early goal. I thank my players for that. The good thing about playing against a team like Highlanders is that the players feel motivated naturally because this is a big team. It was just not their day,” said the former Warriors and Young Warriors coach.
His opposite number, Kelvin Kaindu blamed the defeat on his team’s failure to convert the numerous scoring opportunities they created.
“I think we played well, applied ourselves well but somehow failed to get a goal.
“We created a lot of chances and got more corner kicks than our opponents, but we just could not score. That is the nature of the game,” said Kaindu.
Teams
Manica Diamonds: Chitsumba Godfrey; Lawrence Masibera; Jubani Thubelihle; Farai Banda; Kelvin Gwao; Jeffery Takunda; Enoch Karembo; Brett Amidu; Anelka Chivandire (Charles Teguru, 37th minute); Micheal Tapera (Panashe Mutasa, 86th minute); Tawanda Macheke (Fortune Binzi, 69th minute):
Highlanders: Raphael Pitisi; Talent Dube (Melikaya Ncube, 53rd minute); Lynoth Chikuhwa (Prince Dube, 53rd minute); Mackinnon Mushore (Honest Mhlanga, 86th minute); Mason Mushore; Andrew Mbeba; Peter Muduhwa; Gillian Nyathi (Godfrey Makaruse, 53rd minute); Arthur Ndlovu; Never Rauzhi; Brighton Ncube.
Online Reporter