Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League witnessed MWOS’ commanding 4-0 win over Kwekwe United yesterday, bolstering their position at the top, while Simba Bhora’s emphatic identical 4-0 triumph over Triangle reaffirmed their champion status.
There was no such joy for ambitious and flamboyant outfit Scottland, who were restricted to a goalless draw by Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium.
Scottland are yet to win a match outside Harare.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders’ resurgence was halted by rejuvenated ZPC Kariba, who handed them a 2-1 defeat.
MWOS pull clear as Veremu grabs hat-trick
At Ngoni Stadium in Norton, Billy Veremu turned on the style with a sublime hat-trick as debutants MWOS stamped their authority with the resounding demolition of Kwekwe United.
The victory saw MWOS open a three-point lead at the summit after second-placed Scottland fired blanks in Mutare.
In a season that continues to defy expectations, MWOS stretched their unbeaten run to 12 matches, with Veremu, on loan from Simba Bhora, stealing the show on a day that also marked club president Patrick Tamson’s 39th birthday.
Veremu, who now has seven goals this season, was hoisted into the limelight by a ruthless performance and afterwards dedicated his treble to Tamson, whose influence at the club has been widely lauded.
“I’m so happy, I didn’t expect to score like this,” he said. “This is for the president. He’s made everything possible for us. We want to keep pushing and keep dreaming.”
Tinotenda Mutyambizi added the fourth to complete the rout as MWOS tightened their grip on pole position with 26 points, three ahead of Scottland, and with a crucial top-of-the table clash between the two sides looming in two weeks at Ngoni.
Elsewhere on matchday 12, it was a bruising weekend for Bulawayo’s big boys as both Highlanders and Chicken Inn succumbed to defeats.
At Nyamhunga Stadium, ZPC Kariba’s Fanuel Shoko netted a brace to sink Highlanders.
Bosso remain stuck in mid-table and searching for consistency.
At Luveve Stadium, Chicken Inn’s woes at home deepened after Clive Rupiya’s 62nd minute strike handed GreenFuel a precious away victory.
The Gamecocks have now gone six home games without a win, a dismal run for a side with lofty ambitions and substantial backing.
In Harare, John Zhuwawu emerged as the unlikely hero after scoring just seven seconds following his introduction to hand Herentals a 1-0 win over Ngezi Platinum Stars.
With the match heading towards a stalemate, Zhuwawu’s towering header from a corner settled the contest, propelling Herentals to fourth on the log with 19 points.
The Students’ coach Paul Benza praised his charges for their defensive resilience.
“We won it through our discipline at the back. Just one goal was enough, and we made it count,” he said.
Ngezi’s Takesure Chiragwi rued missed chances and a rare lapse in concentration.
Carnival atmosphere, but no goals at Sakubva
At Sakubva Stadium, despite a carnival atmosphere that evoked the glory days of Tanganda United, Scottland could not find a way past Manica Diamonds in a gripping match that ended nil-all.
The match drew arguably the biggest crowd at the stadium in recent memory, with Scottland fans turning out in full voice and thousands of replica jerseys being sold.
“We created enough to win it,” said Manica assistant coach Tafadzwa Mashiri, filling in for Jairos Tapera, who snubbed media duties over a long-standing issue with a journalist.
Scottland boss Tonderai Ndiraya was pleased with a point.
“It’s never easy here in Mutare. We’ll take the draw,” he said.
Nine-man Yadah snatch a point against TelOne
At Ascot Stadium in Gweru, a spirited nine-man Yadah Stars produced a second-half masterclass to battle from behind and force a 1-1 draw against in-form TelOne.
Francis Mustafa came off the bench and struck in the 64th minute to cancel out Leeroy Murape’s first half goal for TelOne.
Yadah’s veteran goalkeeper Edmore “Zi-Keeper’’ Sibanda was shown a straight red card for a foul on the PSL’s leading scorer Washington Navaya in the 35th minute.
It got worse for Yadah on the stroke of half time when Valentine Musarurwa was also given his marching orders for a dangerous challenge.
Online Reporter