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Zimpapers Sports Hub
LEADERS Simba Bhora edged closer to a maiden championship after clinching a late win against Chicken Inn in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Wadzanai Stadium yesterday.
A 78th-minute goal from veteran midfielder Perfect Chikwende secured another 1-0 win for Simba Bhora at their Shamva fortress and they moved 10 points clear of FC Platinum, who visit Hwange at the Colliery today.
FC Platinum now pose the only threat to Tonderai Ndiraya’s bid for a maiden league title as a coach.
At Ascot Stadium, TelOne continued with their survival bid with a slender 1-0 win over champions Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Goalkeeper Criss Mverechena scored a late penalty to seal victory for the WiFi boys and make it three wins in a row.
The defeat was a huge blow for Ngezi’s title defence quest.
Crucially for TelOne, the win gave them some cushion over the other teams in the relegation dog-fight, although they remain 12th on the log standings with 35 points.
TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa was pleased with his side’s performance.
“I’m happy with the response from the boys,” Maruwa said, adding that they are still far from safety.
“It’s still game on, we have to keep on getting the desired results for us to survive. Now we need to remain focused and make sure that we keep collecting maximum points.
“It’s three out of three for us. I’m happy with where we are going as a team; maybe if we keep winning, we may end up in the top 10.”
Ngezi coach Takesure Chiragwi claimed his side are on the receiving end of poor officiating.
“Very difficult game for us, we admit that we have lost with a penalty. We are in a bad situation. Every game we are getting red cards. Last week again it was the same,” he said.
“It’s a sad day to lose. I think we also had a penalty shout, but the referee said our player was offside. It’s all part of the game; there is nothing we can do.”
At the Green Fuel Arena, Manica Diamonds failed to collect maximum points for three consecutive games as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the hosts in the Manicaland derby.
Manica Diamonds went ahead inside the opening 10 minutes through a well-placed header by lanky striker Tawanda Macheke following a very long throw-in from Lawrence Masibhera.
Bret Amidu headed his effort against the crossbar and Macheke was the quickest to react, putting the ball beyond the reach of Green Fuel goalkeeper Tendai Chirara.
The hosts were given a lifeline by the referee, who pointed to the spot when Donald Ngoma was adjudged to have been brought down inside the box in the 13th minute.
Manica Diamonds protested the decision and there was a 10-minute stoppage before play resumed.
Green Fuel left-back Brian Chikwenya took responsibility and scored with a well-taken penalty in the 26th minute.
Green Fuel assistant coach Taurai Mangwiro was not happy with the result.
“Going into the game, we knew we couldn’t settle for anything other than three points considering the position that we are sitting on. We found ourselves trailing inside 10 minutes, but we did well and responded four minutes later,” he said.
“Our second half was much better and the response from the boys was sound and with better precision we could have collected maximum points.
“We now need a strong finish to the season, there is a marked improvement and it will be sweeter if we can win all our remaining five matches.
“We will play Hwange and Dynamos at home and I think we need to start collecting maximum points at home, but our focus is now on Bikita Minerals after the international break.”
Manica Diamonds assistant coach Patrick Mandizha was disappointed with the outcome but happy with the team’s performance and the season’s objectives.
“We played very well from our build-up from the back, but we were not alert in our final third and we will improve on that going into our next fixtures,” he said.
“Our season has been a seesaw, but overall I think we did well, of course we are out of the running for the championship, but the good thing is we are still in the Chibuku Super Cup and we need to concentrate more on that so that at least we can bring some silverware to Mutare.”
At the Heart Stadium, Khama Billiat joined William Manondo on 12 goals as Yadah came from behind to beat relegation-threatened Arenel Movers 5-3 in one of the highest-scoring matches of the season.
Billiat also provided an assist as he pursues both the Golden Boot and Soccer Star of the Year awards.
The Yadah duo of Mandlenkosi Mlilo and Jerry Chipangura grabbed a brace each, while Arenel Movers replied through Dalubuhle Dlodlo, Lucky Nyathi and Toto Banda.
Yadah coach Thomas Ruzive was full of praise for his charges for putting up a convincing performance.
“It was good performance from the boys and I am happy that we have managed to score five goals. This has been one area where we have been found wanting and I am happy with the improvement,” he said.
At Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo Chiefs and Herentals settled for a share of spoils in a goalless draw.
For Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda, this was a game they could have won.
“We are not safe at all. We will try to rectify. l think we did well, but there were moments when we were caught wanting. I thought we did justice in trying to get three points.
“There were some calls that l would not want to speak about, but l think we deserved to get three points. We now just have to squeeze two sets of three points and we will be fine,” he said.
Herentals coach Paul Benza was satisfied with the draw.
“It’s a good result as we are coming from two defeats. Collecting a point away from home was important for us. What is important for us is to try and escape relegation. We need to try and finish in a respectable position. Last season we finished eighth, but we need to better that position,” said Benza.
Results
TelOne 1-0 Ngezi Platinum
Simba Bhora 1-0 Chicken Inn
Bulawayo Chiefs 0-0 Herentals
Yadah 5-3 Arenel Movers
Green Fuel 1-1 Manica Diamonds
Today
Chegutu Pirates v Bikita
Minerals (Baobab)
Dynamos v CAPS United (Rufaro)
Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Barbourfields)
Hwange v FC Platinum (Colliery)
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