Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
MWOS kept their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title fight alive after grinding out a 1-0 victory over relegated Kwekwe United at Ascot yesterday.
Billy Veremu’s header on the stroke of half-time sealed the win, lifting the Norton side to third place on 52 points, four behind leaders Scottland.
Lloyd Mutasa’s men might have stretched the margin but were left ruing a string of missed chances.
Mutasa stayed cautious in his post-match reflections.
“From the onset I said we were targeting safety first. Once we secured safety we went for the top eight and from there we are now looking at being part of the top four teams,” he said.
“At the moment I am glad to be part of the four and I think we deserve to be there as one of the top four teams in the league.”
Kwekwe United began brightly, pressing their visitors deep and threatening to punish MWOS’ slow start.
But their failure to convert early openings would prove costly.
MWOS gradually took control, with Nigel Matinha pulling strings in midfield.
Arthur Banda forced a smart save from goalkeeper Elton Nechiware on the half hour mark, and the alert ‘keeper again denied Clive Kwangwari’s stinging shot moments later.
The breakthrough came right on half time , Veremu outmuscled his marker to meet a pinpoint cross and nod home.
The visitors returned from the break still on the front foot.
Malvern Mudzuka wasted a golden chance soon after the restart, scooping over from close range. Nechiware stayed busy, tipping away a Tinotenda Mutyambizi free kick and diving to his right to stop an Innocent Zambezi attempt.
Despite the dominance, MWOS could not add to their lead and nearly paid late on when Kwekwe substitute Clive Mushori’s free-kick brought a full stretch save from Francis Tizayi.
Kwekwe United coach Masimba Dinyero conceded his side had been second best. “After starting well, I thought we should have taken advantage of that good start but unfortunately we conceded a soft goal and my boys never recovered from that goal and it took the energy out of them,” he said.
