adminNEWCOMERS Blue Ribbon settled for a draw against a 10-man Kiglon in a lively Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Rufaro yesterday.
Kiglon were the first to score in the 24th minute through Charles Mukanhairi while Blue Ribbon equalised in the 54th minute via Tinei Chitora’s effort.
Kiglon dominated most of the first half and could have drew first blood in the 12th minute when Webster Chingodza’s shot from outside the box hit the left upright post.
Two minutes later, Kiglon’s Danger Fourpence headed over the bar after he received a good cross from Mukanhairi.
However, Kiglon, who were causing problems for Blue Ribbon’s defence, found the opener goal through their captain Mukanhairi who drilled the ball home from inside the box as the home side’s defence was caught napping.
Blue Ribbon came back from the breather a rejuvenated side and they found their equaliser through Chitora following a corner by Tapiwa Kumbuyani.
After equalising, the home team were on top of the situation, forcing the visiting side to make a double substitution in the 75th minute that saw Wlliam Manondo coming in for Brighton Pamhirwa while Charlton Mashumba replaced Mukanhairi.
However, Manondo only played for five minutes as he was sent for an early shower in the 80th minute when he tackled Blue Ribbon’s Joe James in a controversial decision by the referee Thabani Bamala. Bamala also sent Kiglon’s team manager Confidence Munyuki to the terraces after he complained for an off-the-ball incident by a Blue Ribbon player against Yves Ebabali.
Blue Ribbon coach Misheck Chidzambwa was satisfied with his charges’ performance after having lost 1-0 to Hwange in their previous encounter.
“In the second half we played very well unlike in the first half when we were giving too much room to our opponents. We have always played well but failing to win and today it was positive because we managed to come back from behind to snatch a draw,” said Chidzambwa.
His counterpart Patridge Muskwe expressed disappointment over the referee’s decisions and said they could have won the match had they utilised their chances in the first half.
“That was an unnecessary red card. The referee got it wrong. But that’s part and parcel of the game.”
“In the first half we played well and we should have won the game. We should have buried them in the first half but we missed a lot of chances and in the second half our opponents came back a changed side,” said Muskwe.
Teams
Blue Ribbon: L. Matamisa, T. Kumbuyani, C. Kamhapa, J. James, D. Kamunenga, F. Kuswatuka, B. Tuwaya, E. Katema (E. Phiri 64th minute), C. Boroma, T. Chitora, E. Mwinga.
Kiglon: S. Chimusoro, W. Chingodza, B. Pamhirwa (M. Manondo 75th minute), D. Fourpence, W. Nyamutsaka, P. Marazanye, C. Mukanhairi (C. Mashumba 75th minute), Y. Ebabali, K. Mageja, P. Kaunda.
Online Reporter