Manica Diamonds munch Arenel

Nkosilathi Sibanda At Luveve Stadium

Arenel 0-1 Manica Diamonds

MANICA Diamonds continued their winning streak in the Castle Lager Premiership with a 1-0 victory over Arenel Movers at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

The winning goal came from Farai Banda, who converted a corner kick from Thubelihle Jubane in the 55th minute. Despite starting the match on the front foot, Arenel Movers failed to capitalise on their chances, with Kudzaishe Dzingwe and Njabulo Ngwenya both missing opportunities.

There was little the two teams did in terms of creating chances and it is no surprise the match only had one goal.The victory was praised by Manica Diamonds coach, Jairos Tapera, who singled out his team’s defending as particularly strong.

“The win doesn’t reflect the fight that was between the two teams. I respect the Arenel Movers team. I think they were more organised in terms of defending, they fought right through, but overall I think we were much better in the first 20 to 30 minutes. We were sluggish and had to re-adjust the movement of our players, we have good wingers and in terms of defending I think so far so good, three or four games without conceding.

“We were so much organised in terms of defending, but our transition was excellent going forward. We had some chances that I thought we might have scored, but I’m content,” said Tapera.Losing coach, Farai Tawachera, was disappointed with his side’s display, citing fatigue and a lack of cohesion as factors in the defeat.

“I think we were not there. Fatigue is now creeping into our players considering that we were in Kariba for our last match. The distance is long, we tried to rest on Monday, prepare on Tuesday and

Wednesday, but we have limited resources in terms of players. We tried to shuffle players today, but we didn’t click. The guys who came in the second half, haven’t played much, so we were trying to see if their legs are fresh by throwing them in there, but the rhythm wasn’t there and the cohesion to play as a team wasn’t there.

“We played in the second half, but we were not good at all. In football if you don’t utilise your chances, some will take them and that’s the difference. Overall I think we were not there, we just have to go back and push,” he said.

Teams
Arenel Movers:
A Ngwenya, K Dzingwe, D Magaiza, A Ndlovu, M Jackson, G Chigwenhese, B Jaravaza (Mukuli 55), Z Dambo (A Nyoni 89), T Banda, C Machisi (J Sibanda 55), B Ngwenya (G Kufandada 61)

Manica Diamonds:
G Chitsumba, L Masibhera, F Banda, T Chisi, E Karembo, T Jubane, J Takunda, K Dhemera (B Amindu 61), G Bero (Teguru 61), T Macheka (M Tapera 46), F Binzi (G Dematsika 89).