Mapuya optimistic

Fungai Munyoro
ZIFA Manicaland Province Division Two log leaders FC Crest Value coach, Lovemore “Thula” Maphuya, is optimistic that his team will win promotion into the first division next season.
In a telephone interview from his Chipinge base, the former Motor Action defender says his team has fair chances of getting promotion judging by their performance so far.

“I am so sure that we are going to get our ticket into the Division One league next season considering our position on the log and my boys are doing pretty well. We won 20 of our 24 games, which is not bad at all.

“The other four games were draws,” said the 34 year old pint-sized gaffer, who took over as club coach since the start of the season.
To date, Crest Value have played 24 games and managed to gather 64 points. They won 20 and drew four against Africa Trust, Claremont, Timothy Masachi’s La Sakubva and last week’s 1-1 draw with Nhedziwa FC.

Accordingly, Mapuya’s charges are yet to taste any defeat and are now on the brink of gaining Division One promotion.
In last weekend’s match against 17th placed Nhedziwa FC, which ended in a one-all stalemate, Crest could have won by a wide margin but lack of precision in front of goal was their greatest undoing.

Crest Value might have also paid dearly for underrating Nhedziwa. The Chipinge side was the first one to take the lead through crowd favourite, Lukias Nhakwi, in the first half. After the breather Nhedziwa equalised through Washington Njanji.

In a post match interview, Mapuya, who blamed his strike-force for missing a glutton of clear-cut scoring opportunities, admitted that Nhedziwa is a good side despite their position on the table.

“Nhedziwa is a good side and they played very well and gave us a good run. We failed to utilise our chances resulting in a draw” said Mapuya.
Results:

Eastern Highlands 3, Chiwere United 0; Midway 3, Charter 0; Africa Trust 1, Mutare 0; Watermark 2, Claremont 1; Redwing 1, Marsmery 1; La Sakubva 2, Banana Spears 1; ZRP Mutare 2, Bottle Tigers 3; Sisal Stars 3, Leopard Shooters 0; Tilbury 0, Nhedziwa United 3.