Online Reporter
Tongai Mushonga
CENTRAL Region Soccer League (CRSL) fans will be treated to derby drama this afternoon when Gwanda Pirates face ZRP Gwanda at Phelandaba Stadium.
The clash, originally set for last weekend, was shifted to today, with league officials pointing to fixture congestion and logistical adjustments. Another match affected by the reshuffle is James West’s tie against Matobo FC, which will now be played at Maglass Stadium.
While all eyes will be on the derby, the weekend produced gripping action elsewhere. Hardrock FC edged West Nicholson 1-0 at Baghdad Stadium, thanks to a 78th-minute penalty slotted home by Ugandan goalkeeper, Mathius Kigonya.
West Nicholson had sat deep for much of the match, frustrating Hardrock with a disciplined low block.
But the resistance was broken when a defender handled the ball in the wall from a set piece, leaving the referee with no choice but to award a spot kick.
Hardrock’s attacking quartet of Tinashe Mashaireni, Blessing Sahondo, Blessing Sibanda and Trudah Mujawo had all tested the visitors earlier, but wasteful finishing kept the game goalless until Kigonya’s decisive strike.
Coach Calvin Maphosa, welcomed the win but admitted his side lacked ruthlessness.
“Three points in the bag, that is what matters,” he said. “We are on the right track to meet our target, but we failed to convert several chances that came our way.
“We made tactical changes in the second half, and it paid off. Football is a process; we will eventually score more.”
West Nicholson coach Ofhan Muleya was less forgiving.
“This loss is heartbreaking; the game lacked fairness,” he complained.
“We knew Hardrock would pump long balls forward from one wing. We absorbed pressure and looked to counter, but that plan was spoiled by certain individuals. My players were frustrated and mentally disturbed.”
Elsewhere, Grain Tigers overcame Tongogara 1-0 in a much hyped derby at Mbizo Stadium that struggled to live up to the billing.
Tigers controlled the opening half but spurned clear chances through Nokutenda Sibanda, McDonald Mavuto and Innocent Mundinga. Relief finally came in stoppage time when Mundinga pounced on a loose ball to notch his first goal for the club.
Tongogara responded with pressure after the break, but could not breach a compact Tigers midfield and defence.
“It was a game of two halves,” said Tigers coach, Tendai Chikuni.
“We dominated the first but failed to convert. In the second half, we changed to a 3-5-2 formation. Although we got the win, we are still wasteful in front of goal. Overall, I’m happy with how we are blending the new players; it’s a process.”
Tongogara coach Knowledge Muzerengi, was blunt in his assessment.
“I’ve taken stern action on my players. This is not how we play at Tongogara. It’s either they shape up or ship out,” he fumed. Sed molupie nimagnate doluptatur,
