Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
Kwekwe United 2-2 Manica Diamonds
Kwekwe United looked on course for their first win under coach Masimba Dinyero, only to throw away a two-goal cushion and settle for a 2-2 draw against Manica Diamonds at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
The basement side, fielding a youthful squad, dominated the opening stages with crisp passing and took control through
Robert Muchara, who pounced in a crowded box to score the opener.
Dead-ball specialist Proud Gorekore then doubled the lead with a trademark long-range free kick that left the Gem Boys stunned.
United carried that advantage into the break, but the game turned dramatically after half-time. Manica Diamonds introduced Nigel Mpinduki for David Chipo and Babadi Tshipamba for Tinotenda Murasiranwa, changes that injected more urgency.
The hosts were then dealt a major setback when Muchara, their first scorer, was shown a straight red card, a moment that shifted momentum.
From there, Diamonds pressed relentlessly. Tshipamba reduced the deficit in the 81st minute before Mpinduki struck with two minutes remaining to snatch a point and leave the Gold Boys crestfallen.
Coach Tafadzwa Mashiri admitted his team had been poor early on but was pleased with the turnaround.
“We didn’t have a good start and we were disjointed in the first half, hence the changes at half-time,” said Mashiri.
“I’m happy though with the change of attitude in the second half because we changed the way we started. If we are to apply the same character we showed in the second half, I’m sure we are going to collect maximum points in our next match.”
For Dinyero, who is still chasing his first win since taking charge, the red card to Muchara proved costly.
“The red card to Muchara dealt us a big blow because we were forced to change our formation,” he said. “But I was happy with the resilience shown by my players because they tried their best.
Remember this is now a young squad and most of them are playing in the Premier League for the first time.”
The draw left Manica Diamonds in 13th place on 29 points, hovering just two spots above the drop zone, while Kwekwe remain rooted to the bottom and desperate for a breakthrough win.
