Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SHAMVA was alive long before kick-off. By noon, Wadzanai Stadium had turned into a swirling gold rush carnival, as defending champions Simba Bhora and big-spending Scottland fought to a goalless draw that gripped the mining town and underlined the fierce Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) title race yesterday.
The well-to-do, in designer shades, jostled with dust-streaked gold panners, politicians and socialites to get a seat or a vantage point to stand.
Inside, the football matched the theatre outside.
Scottland almost stole it when Tymon Machope’s thumping header rattled the underside of the bar and seemed to cross the line, but referee Tichaona Mbire waved play on.
Simba Bhora replied with late surges, Donald Mudadi and Boid Mutukure, both narrowly missing.
The result suited the champions, who stayed two points clear on 55 points, Scottland just behind on 53.
“We were expected to win. We are the defending champions and we are on top of the log,” said Simba Bhora coach Joel Lupahla.
“That pressure sometimes can get into the boys, but you could see from the way they played that they were relaxed and this is what we expect.”
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya, serenaded with shouts of “Judas Iscariot” on his return to Shamva, praised the point.
Simba Bhora supporters felt betrayed by Ndiraya after he dumped their team for Scottland at the beginning of the season.
“For us to come here and get a point is good. This is a very difficult venue,” Ndiraya said after the game.
MWOS claw back
The stalemate in Shamva opened a crack and MWOS burst through.
In a tense duel at Ascot, the Norton side wore down TelOne and stole a 1-0 win when Frank Makarati, under pressure, sliced the ball into his own net on 83 minutes.
It was a smash-and-grab that brought MWOS within six points of the summit and signalled their intent.
“This win gives us confidence and belief,” said coach Lloyd Mutasa.
“If we keep winning in the remaining matches, we’ll see where it takes us.”
Platinum precision, Bosso fury
In Zvishavane, FC Platinum fed off the tension.
The home crowd held its breath until second half substitute Jerrison Selemani unleashed a stunning 70th-minute strike that bent past Ariel Sibanda and froze Highlanders.
The goal lit a fuse on the touchline, with Bosso coach Pieter De Jongh turning the technical area into a cauldron of protest.
“Every 50-50 challenge, the foul is for FC Platinum.
“In the first half, we had a clear penalty which was not given,” he snapped.
The hosts stayed calm and banked the points, Norman Mapeza calling Selemani’s effort “fantastic”.
Desperation and deliverance at the bottom
If the title chase burned bright, the survival fight crackled with equal force.
At Sakubva, Manica Diamonds staggered through a ragged first half against GreenFuel.
Coach Tafadzwa Mashiri rolled the dice, bringing on Fortune Binzi, Charles Teguru and Evans Katema.
The gamble worked.
Katema buried a 64th-minute penalty and chipped in a second at the death.
GreenFuel’s stoppage time consolation barely mattered.
“This is a huge relief for us,” said Mashiri.
Bikita Minerals floor Yadah
In Harare, Bikita Minerals lived on nerves and finally struck in the dying moments against Yadah.
Fitzgerald Banda rose highest to head in Pascal Shumbaimwe’s corner, earning a precious 1-0 win.
With head coach Wilson Mtekede away on COSAFA duty, assistant Arnold Jani steered the ship for Bikita.
“We know we are not yet very safe from the chop, but we have given ourselves some firm ground,” Jani said.
Chicken Inn cruise, CAPS United frustrate
Mid-table Chicken Inn took care of business at Luveve, with Brian Muza and Lynoth Chikuhwa on target in a 2-0 victory over doomed Kwekwe United.
“Our intensity was wanting. We didn’t play the best of our football, but we got the result,” admitted coach Joey Antipas.
Elsewhere, CAPS United dominated, but failed to finish, drawing 0-0 with Herentals.
A red card for Brian Kadamanja late on only deepened coach Ian Bakala’s frustration.
“It is two points dropped,” Bakala put the draw into perspective.
After matchday 28, the picture is stark.
Simba Bhora remain top, but Scottland, MWOS and Ngezi Platinum smell blood, while FC Platinum lurk with intent.
Down below, Kwekwe United look resigned to relegation, but the fight to avoid the last drop spot rages, with Manica Diamonds, Bikita Minerals, Dynamos and Yadah locked in a grim battle.
