Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje
Greenfuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)2
Scottland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)2
A brace from Chris Ngwende, including a late penalty, denied newcomers Scottland all three points as Greenfuel and the fancied Harare side settled for a share of spoils in a tightly contested Castle Lager Premier league midweek fixture at Greenfuel Arena yesterday.
Greenfuel started the better side as Collins Dhuwa forced Scottland goalkeeper Nelson Chadya to make a smart save from close range inside five minutes.
Greenfuel continued to exploit the Scottland left side as they looked to unsettle their visitors. Ronald Pfumbidzai struggled to contain Reginald Chinemo who dribbled past him for the second time in the game to set up the opening goal by Ngwende in the 6th minute.
The visitors were quick to respond and Panashe Mutimbanyoka scored an easy goal, tapping in from close range after a well weighed cross from Pfumbidzai in the 15th minute.
After the equalising goal, the visitors gained confidence and enjoyed a fair share of possession but could not create clear cut chances as they continued with some patient build ups.
The second half was more entertaining as both teams played free-flowing passing football. Scottland took the lead in the 54th minute as Lynoth Chikuhwa scored his first goal of the season since his switch from Bulawayo giants Highlanders at the beginning of the season.
Mtokhozisi Msebe got another chance to extend the visitors lead but after beating his marker on the right wing his rasping effort narrowly missed the target, hitting the side netting in the 58th minute.
Scottland were punished for not taking their chances and a defensive mix-up between Godknows Murwira and goalkeeper Nelson Chadya proved costly as the latter brought down substitute Simbarashe Manyoni inside the box after a short back pass.
Referee Lawrence Zimondi did not hesitate to point to the spot with six minutes remaining. After the ball changed hands before the penalty was taken, Ngwende was brave to take a pressure penalty converting as he completed his brace and avoided a second defeat in a row for his side.
Greenfuel head coach Taurai Mangwiro was happy with a point against Scottland after their first defeat at their own backyard last Saturday against TelOne.
“I want to applaud the players for the manner in which they fought. We got an early lead but unfortunately it didn’t last long but even after they scored the second goal. I always believe in the die-hard attitude and the fighting spirit our boys showed today to salvage a point.”
Tonderai Ndiraya, the last man to have collected maximum point at Greenfuel Arena when he was with Simba Bhora two seasons ago, was happy with a point on the road.
“This is a very difficult venue and I am a bit lucky that I haven’t lost here. It’s an important point for us but I am disappointed by the way in which we conceded the second goal. It was a case of game management and the misunderstanding between Godknows Murwira and Nelson Chadya cost us the two points.”
