Online Reporter
Ray Bande in Mutare
CASTLE Lager Premiership log leaders Simba Bhora dropped points at Sakubva yesterday in a 1-1 draw with Manica Diamonds, leaving the Castle Lager Premiership title race wide open.
And they even had referee Grace Mayimbo to thank for securing that point in a pulsating encounter that Manica could have easily won.
Mayimbo denied the home team clear penalty appeals on three occasions, apart from a myriad of questionable decisions.
That point collected left Simba on 44 points, just two ahead of second-placed MWOS, while third and fourth-placed sides, FC Platinum and Scottland, are on 40 points.
Both FC Platinum and Scottland have a game in hand, and they could reduce the gap at the top to just a point.
At Sakubva, apart from the questionable decisions, the sizable crowd that watched the encounter had full value for their money.
After a series of exchanges in exciting raids at goal from both teams, it was Nomore Tsobora who propelled his team into the lead seven minutes into the encounter with a header that gave diving Manica Diamonds goalie Tedios Baye no chance.
Five minutes before the break, Tsabora could have easily turned villain after he clearly handled the ball in a desperate attempt to deal with a low cross from the left but referee Mayimbo, close to action as she was, decided to let play continue.
Inspired by the roving second-half substitute Anelka Chivandire, the home team came back after the breather a determined outfit as they dominated play.
The efforts were dully rewarded in the 82nd minute when well positioned Chivandire’s turn and shoot effort was too classy for Simba Bhora goalkeeper William Thole.
Simba Bhora coach Joel Luphahla conceded they were just lucky to get away with a point.
“I think we are happy with the point we gained here. It was not going to be easy especially after playing three matches in a week and that tells you the amount of fatigue that my players had to deal with.
“The home team played well and they were just the better team of the day. We just have to fight on and build from this draw so that we can get back to our winning ways,” he said.
His opposite number, Tafadzwa Mashiri praised his team for a spirited performance and expressed hope that they will soon be out of the relegation zone.
“We played well as a team and we should have just won this one with a little bit of luck. I can see some positives in the way we are playing, the body language, the hunger to win the match was evident.
“I have no doubt that we will soon be out of the relegation zone. There are still many more matches to play and points to fight for. Therefore, we will duly come back for our next encounter even more determined,” said Mashiri.
Bongani Ndlovu