adminFORMER champions Monomotapa were held to a draw by newboys Blue Ribbon in a balanced Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gwanzura yesterday.
Blue Ribbon took the lead seven minutes into the game through Charlton Mashumba and Monoz replied through Obey Mwerahari in the 79th minutes.
Monoz could have taken the lead in the fourth minute but Osborn Mukuradare’s shot from the edge of the box was saved by goalkeeper Tapiwa Zvaita.
Three minutes later Monoz goalkeeper, Tapiwa Mafunga, and the defenders failed to communicate when Tendai Ngulube headed back a clearance and Blue Ribbon’s Mashumba intercepted the ball.
Mashumba shot from close range to beat Mafunga.
Monomotapa could have leveled the scores in the 34th minute but hotshot Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo’s effort went over the bar.
The visitors went into the breather leading 1-0 but slowed the pace in the second half.
However, Monoz came back a rejuvenated side after the breather, which saw them dominating the game in terms of ball possession.
Their efforts paid off in the 79th minute when Mwerahari shot from close range as Blue Ribbon’s defenders were caught napping.
Monoz coach, Taurai Mangwiro, was happy with his charges performance despite their failure to collect maximum points.
“I think we did well from the first whistle. We did fairly well as far as ball control is concerned.
“Unfortunately we gave them a chance and we were punished for that.
“When you make a blunder like what we did, the opponents gain confidence.
“I am happy we fought back and got a point. Perhaps a draw was a fair result,” said Mangwiro.
His counterpart, Misheck Chidzambwa, said they did not have enough time to rest after their game against Dynamos and it affected his players.
“It’s an issue of fatigue, we played on Wednesday so it affected us but a point away from home is not bad. Today (yesterday) we didn’t play very well.
“We need to give the players time to recover and see what happens in our next match,” said Chidzambwa.
Teams
Monomotapa
B. Mapfumo, B. Chimwamuchere, R. Chitiyo, T. Ngulube, J. Mutambiranwa (L. Saramaya 81st minute), O. Mwerahari, D. Mukandi, M. Kawashu, M. Mungombe, O. Mukuradare (R. Madamombe 65th minute), T. Mafunga.
Blue Ribbon
T. Zvaita, S. Choenda, T. Munetsi (E.Phiri 74th minute), C. Mashumba (M. Mabhacho 74th minute), V. Mukudo, T. Chitora, E. Sinaputa, C. Boroma, T. Mpungu, C. Dickson, J. James (C. Kamhapa 86th minute).
Online Reporter