MWOS stretch unbeaten run

Langton Nyakwenda

MWOS 1-1 Manica Diamonds

Tempers flared and emotions boiled over at Ngoni Stadium yesterday as log leaders MWOS stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manica Diamonds in a match marred by controversy and late drama.

The visitors, known as the Gem Boys, struck first after 17 minutes, capitalising on a rare blunder by MWOS goalkeeper Martin Mapisa. Ask Rupande made no mistake, putting Manica Diamonds ahead going into the break.

But the match turned in the second half.

MWOS clawed their way back into the contest with a hotly disputed penalty in the 80th minute, coolly converted by Salif Cheya, who had come off the bench and injected life into the home side’s attack.

As if that wasn’t enough to stir debate, Manica Diamonds thought they had snatched a last gasp winner when Nigel Mupinduki found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside by referee Tichaona Mbire, much to the frustration of coach Jairos Tapera.

“I need to watch it on TV and be convinced that both goals were genuine, whether they were our fault or someone else’s,” a clearly agitated Tapera said after the match. “The penalty… I don’t think it should have stood. Brett Amidu was facing the other direction when the ball hit his hand.”

While MWOS maintained their perfect start to the season, Manica Diamonds are now winless in four, each time failing to protect a lead.

“The boys gave it their all, but we have to move on,” Tapera added.

MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa was full of praise for his team’s resilience.

“I think we started a bit slow and allowed them too much room in the first half. They scored from what we thought was an avoidable goal,” he admitted. “But I’m happy with the way the youngsters responded. They fought to the death and we managed to get a point enough to keep us at the top of the log.”

Tedious Baye was outstanding in goal for Manica Diamonds, pulling off a series of saves to keep MWOS at bay for much of the match.

Despite the draw, the result keeps MWOS one point ahead of defending champions Simba Bhora while pressure mounts on Tapera’s side to rediscover their winning form.