Quelaton shock Monomotapa

It was hard to believe that it was the same Quelaton who have been freely donating points after they fought from a goal down in the first minute to claim the three points over a team that went into the game in third place on the log and buoyed by their weekend’s 3-0 win over Hwange.

Monomotapa had their noses in front after a minute through Makai Kawashu who was picked in the box by Ronald Chitiyo and his volley caught Winston Chiwetu, the Quelaton goalkeeper, off guard to nestle at the back of the net.

Quelaton however, had other plans as they responded two minutes later through Simba Manwere who volleyed from close range beating Jorum Muchambo who was in goal for the visitors.

Manwere had made a solo run from the centre line on the right flank and shook off Bright Chayambuka before unleashing a shot that was tipped over the bar by Muchambo.

But Manwere was to make sure with his volley from close range from the resultant Mhleli Sibanda corner that had created a goalmouth melee.
Mhleli, who had a great game, was to create the second goal after eight minutes when he split the visitors’ defence with a pass for Timothy January who made mockery of Monos defender Chayambuka whose game was getting nightmarish before sending a left footed seemingly tame shot that however beat Muchambo although he had a touch on it.

The home team started enjoying themselves after going two goals up and January was to test Chayambuka’s composure with some nimble moves before the bewildered defender hacked him down and referee Mlindeli Ndebele had no choice but to caution him after 12 minutes.
Monoz tried organising themselves and their striker Ronald Chitiyo forced a good save from Chiwetu with a snapshot from outside the half on 31 minutes as they searched for an equaliser.

That foray however reawakened the home side and they countered swiftly with January combining with Manwere before Manwere put through Innocent Kutsanzira who slotted home from inside the 18 yard box to make it 3-1 and that was the last action worth talking about in the first half.

The visitors came back strongly after the interval after Chayambuka was hauled off from his hellish game and replaced by Kuda Musharu.

They could have pulled one back after 60 minutes via a fluke when Osborne Mukuradare unwittingly deflected a Charles Rukwani cross against the outside of the upright with Chiwetu beaten.

The game picked up tempo inside the last 10 minutes with Kutsanzira forcing a good save from Muchambo before substitute Musharu hit the side netting with a free header.

Mukuradare however pulled one back for the visitors with a free header five minutes from time after another Rukwani cross.

It was however too little too late for the visitors as they were left cursing themselves after the loss and coach Biggie Zuze said the team had squandered opportunities although he conceded that they had been slack in the first half.

“We were slack in the first half as we allowed Quelaton to fight back and score three goals after we had led in the first minute. Although we picked ourselves in the second half, we did not bury the numerous chances that came our way,” Zuze said.

Farai Sibanda, the Quelaton coach, said the three points were vital and there was a need for the team to continue winning so that they can survive relegation.

“The three points are precious and I am happy with the way the team played. The boys need self belief and if we win another game it will be good as there is need for us to start thinking about winning instead of relegation,” he said.

Teams
Quelaton: W Chiwetu, W Chiramba, Z Sibanda, M Phiri, G Mleya, E Nkulungo, M Sibanda (Z Dambo 69 minutes), T January, S Manwere, P Tshuma, I Kutsanzira (T Mugumanya 86 minutes).
Monomotapa: J Muchambo, H Mugoniwa, B Chayambuka (K Musharu 45 minutes), F Mangezie, R Chitiyo, K Machona, O Mukuradare, M Kawashu (J Mutambiranwa 69 minutes), Z Biseki, C Messi (B Mapfumo 69 minutes), C Rukwani.