Manica Diamonds drop points

Ray Bande in Mutare

Manica Diamonds 0-0 TelOne FC

IT was two points dropped more than a point gained for Manica Diamonds as the Mutare Castle Lager Premiership outfit has now gone for five matches without a win.

Yesterday they were held to a goalless draw by visiting TelOne at Sakubva Stadium. Gem Boys coach Jairos Tapera watched in agony as his players took turns to miss clear-cut scoring opportunities in a match they could have won by a wide margin with a little bit of precision in front of goal.

Even though Manica Diamonds dominated the encounter, they somehow succumbed to some frustrating delaying tactics by the visiting side. So determined to get just a point were TelOne to the extent that referee Israel Nhevero was forced to flash a yellow card for goalkeeper Chris Mverechena owing to his glaring delaying antics.

The visitors went back home satisfied with the result after their delaying tactics paid off. No wonder, their coach, Herbert Maruwa, who earned himself a yellow card in the second half for unsporting behaviour, expressed satisfaction in a post-match interview.

“I am happy with the result. It is not easy getting a point against Manica Diamonds in their backyard. They are a good side. However, at the end of the day, I am satisfied with the result we got. We are going ahead with our campaign from here with confidence and hope to move away from the relegation zone with each passing week,” said Maruwa.

Tapera said: “It is always difficult to play the game of football against a team that is trying to frustrate the opponent at every given chance. However, we did well in defending for us to avoid defeat. With a bit of luck, we could have won by a wide margin since we created numerous scoring chances but failed to convert.”

As it stands, it’s four points gained by TelOne from Manica Diamonds after the diamond miners suffered a defeat in the reverse fixture.