adminAllen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
THE curtain came down on the 2016 Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA) league season with Laduma FC beating a 10-men Nga Chronicle 2-1 at Barbourfields outside grounds yesterday.
Goals from Sipho Banda and Julien Banda were enough for Laduma to seal the season with a victory while Nga Chronicle got their goal through Taison Mazithulela.
Nga Chronicle had the big Marks Shayamano dictating issues in the middle of the park although he was later substituted due to fatigue.
The match got off to an exciting start with both sides having chances at either end, however, neither managed to truly test the goalkeepers.
The first real chance fell the way of Laduma only to be denied by Nga Chronicle goalkeeper Munyaradzi Abuja, who did well to punch Sipho Banda’s fifth minute shot from distance.
However, 27 minutes later, Laduma were awarded a penalty after a handling offence by a Nga Chronicle player.
Sipho Banda stepped up and made no mistake placing the ball beyond Abuja’s reach.
Six minutes later, Nga Chronicle levelled the matters when Mazithulela headed home a cross from the right.
The second half was action packed and drama filled as Nga Chronicle lost Swene Pilate who was red carded half way through the stanza following a clumsy challenge on Laduma’s Sipho.
It was Julian who sealed the victory for Laduma with 17 minutes left when he fired from close range and goalkeeper Abuja failed to deal with the shot and the ball slipped through his hands.
Laduma coach Dominick Sibanda said he was happy with his team’s performance throughout the season.
“What a great way to end the season.
“This has been our dream and the boys were remarkably consistent and efficient throughout the season.
“We hope to do better in the third division next season,” he said. – @khumzallen
Online Reporter