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Zimpapers Sports Hub
Manica DIAMONDS’ revival continued with a significant 1-0 win away to title rivals FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
A 30th-minute goal from Enock Karembo was all Manica Diamonds needed to secure back-to-back 1-0 wins over FC Platinum.
It was also their second successive win after a 2-1 home success over Arenel Movers in a rearranged match last weekend.
With the win, Manica Diamonds go above champions Ngezi Platinum into third place with 42 points from 26 games, four points behind FC Platinum.
FC Platinum remain four points behind leaders Simba Bhora, who travel to Ascot in Gweru for a date with relegation-threatened TelOne. It will be the first league game at the venue since 2019. Victory for Simba Bhora, in a game they can now afford to lose, will see them go seven points clear, with eight more games remaining.
At Rufaro Stadium, Herentals extended their unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Hwange.
The win saw Herentals moving above Dynamos into sixth position.
Two goals from Ali Maliselo and Lieto Dreamer in the second half ensured that Herentals collected maximum points.
It was a goalless first period, despite Herentals being the dominant side.
Herentals returned from the break with more intent upfront as they kept asking questions on the visitors’ goal.
They finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Maliselo pounced onto a rebound, heading in his team’s first goal of the day.
They then scored the winner three minutes into added time with a counter-raid.
Dreamer raced from his half and went for the far post to give Herentals the three points.
Herentals coach Paul Benza described the victory as sweet for his charges, as they recorded their fifth match without defeat.
“Having won against Highlanders, I was afraid that complacency was going to creep in, but I am really excited that we managed to collect maximum points today,” he said.
“I am happy that we managed to keep a clean sheet in our last matches we won, but we failed to keep a clean sheet.
“We are hoping to continue with the momentum.”
Hwange coach Rodwell Dhlakama, whose side are in the relegation mix, believes they have what it takes to survive the chop despite the loss.
“We conceded a soft goal, but I am confident that we will remain in the top-flight,” he said.
At Luveve Stadium, newcomers Arenel Movers moved a place up the ladder, swapping bottom place with fellow newcomers Chegutu Pirates after beating struggling Green Fuel 2-1.
Arenel coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube was left deeply moved by the performance of his side
The Bulawayo side now sit on 21 points, two points ahead of Chegutu Pirates, who play Bulawayo Chiefs at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro today.
“I would rather lose 7-0 against any team as long as my team is playing good football and that’s what I told the boys at half-time,” he said.
“We will fight to the end to avoid relegation and that will remain the goal until the end of the season. I’m happy with the performance of my players. They showed character today by coming from behind to win the match.”
Thirty-six minutes into the match, Arenel looked like they were headed for another defeat when Donald Ngoma drew first blood for Green Fuel.
The magic that Ncube asked for at half-time must have worked for Arenel Movers in the 58th minute when Toto Banda levelled matters for the hosts.
Njabulo Ngwenya made it sweet for Arenel Movers in the 75th minute when he sealed the win for his team.
Green Fuel coach Saul Chamunika remained holed up in the Luveve Stadium dressing rooms when it was time for the prescribed post-match interviews with the media.
Online Reporter