Prison wardens share spoils

Flame Lilly…………………………………(1) 1
Whawha……………………………………(0) 1

VISITORS Whawha cursed their luck after picking just a point against fellow prison wardens Flame Lilly at Gwanzura yesterday.

Whawha’s Livingstone Genti scored a brilliant goal in the 54th minute to cancel out a first half opener by Motion Muponda.

The visitors, in a style synonymous with Lloyd Mutasa coached teams, wowed the crowd with a vintage second half showing punctuated by brilliant passing which even former Warriors coach Klaus-Dieter Pagels — who also attended the match — expressed delight about.

However, poor finishing, the cross bar and a harsh goal that beat their goalkeeper Matthew Wurayayi via an awkward bounce conspired to deny them what would have been a deserved win.

Mutasa, however, said the debutants will find solace in the point they picked up as well as the good football they have played so far, including in the match day one defeat to Caps United.

“This (draw) is what you get if you don’t take your chances at this level of competition.

We have exhibited some good football in the two matches we have played and I hope this will give the boys more confidence going into our next matches.,” said Mutasa.

Flame Lilly could have raced into the lead as early as the third minute, but a free kick by Moses Demera from about 25 metres out zoomed past the face of goal.

Lady luck smiled on them (Flame Lilly) thirteen minutes later when Muponda’s seemingly harmless shot took an awkward bounce and beat Wurayayi, who had already dived in anticipation of making a routine save.

Flame Lilly played the last four minutes with ten men after substitute Farai Mugumwa was shown a red card for a second bookable offence.

The home side’s coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera was happy with the point.

“We are happy we managed to pick our first point of the season although we would have wanted three.

“I knew it was going to be a difficult match for either side because they are our sister club so it was a derby,” said Saruchera.

Teams:

Flame Lilly: P Chigumba, E Kopeni, E Madhanhaga, B Chandisaita, R Kawondera, P Chidawaya, T Huwa, V Mukudo (F Mugumwa 62nd), M Muponda, P Chinyama (S Munhira 83rd), M Demera

Whawha: M Wurayayi, R Useni (M Nyakabangwe 42nd), V Madamombe, M Machazeni, J Konono, L Genti, T Jukulile (C Masocha 58th), A Matewu, G Saunyama, N Bude, O Lungu (K Buka 71st)