dyton mupawaenda
Patrick Chitumba at Bata Stadium
Sheasham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
Bulawayo Chiefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Premiership newcomers Sheasham edged visiting Bulawayo Chiefs in a tightly contested match at Bata Stadium in Gweru yesterday.
Thinking that they were taking a point back to Bulawayo as the teams were level 1-1, Hillary Bakacheza broke the hearts of Bulawayo Chiefs players when he scored the winning goal at the stroke of fulltime.
Bakacheza scored following a goalmouth melee with Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper Isaah Ali down on fours after he appeared to have been infringed upon.
The Bulawayo Chiefs technical team and players felt hard done by the match referee Thabani Bamala’s decision as they thought that he should have blown for an infringement on their goalkeeper.
Bulawayo Chiefs technical bench led by coach Johanisi Nhumwa and players mobbed the referee and his first assistant referee before the police moved in to quell the situation.
As soon play resumed, Bamala blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.
An emotional Bulawayo Chiefs coach Nhumwa refused to comment on the match even after being asked several questions by journalists.
His counterpart and former Bulawayo Chiefs coach Lizwe Sweswe said he was happy that they had collected maximum points.
“I think in the first half we were not ourselves as we were relying on long balls which is not our strength but after talking to them during half time, they came a changed team. What we needed was alterations when moving the ball and it paid for us,” he said.
Sweswe added that collecting maximum points was what they were hoping to achieve with eight games to go so that they survive relegation.
“Scoring that winning goal at the stroke of full time, I think the boys did well and congratulations to them. We are still fighting and every win on the remaining eight games is what we want. It is important that we score goals to improve our chances of survival,” he said.
The match started on a high tempo as both teams were looking for an early goal which was elusive.
A meaningful attack came from Sheasham FC striker Stanley Mhare in the 17th minute when his effort hit the cross bar with Ali beaten.
In the 31st minute Bulawayo Chiefs broke the deadlock after Nkosilathi Ncube fired home from close range reacting to an intelligent assist from Mthokozisi Msebe.
Ben Nyahunzwi came to Bulawayo Chiefs rescue after 36 minutes when he blocked a goal bound shot by Stanely Mhare.
Sheasham FC’s Thubelihle Jubane and national team player pulled one back in the 64th minute after hitting a cracker from outside the box with Bulawayo Chiefs goalkeeper Ali a well beaten man.
Bakacheza grabbed the winner at fulltime to earn the Gweru side three vital points as the battle for survival continues.
Teams
Sheasham FC
Elton Sibanda, Stanley Mhare, Collen Kwaramba, Kupakwashe Matake (Tanaka Chidova 64th minute), Liberty Masveure, William Stima, David Mangesi, Roy Useni, Hillary Bakacheza, Thubelihle Jubane, Polyester Shoko
Bulawayo Chiefs
Ali Isaah, Ben Nyahunzwi, Mthokozisi Msebe, Obriel Chirinda (Dalubuhle Dlodlo 90th minute), Malvin Mkolo (Raphel Muduviwa 53rd minute), Nkosilathi Ncube, Panashe Shoko, Danny Phiri, Mandlenkosi Gasela, Felix Moyo, Farau Matare (Billy Veremu 76th minute)
Online Reporter