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Herentals FC 1-0 Sheasham FC
VETERAN forward Blessing Majarira rose from the bench to convert a late penalty at the National Sports Stadium yesterday that helped Herentals to bounce back from their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League midweek slump.
Majarira has been an effective impact player for Herentals for much of this season. And he did just that yesterday after coming on as a 46th minute replacement for Innocent Benza and took the responsibility to convert the Herentals penalty 13 minutes from time.
Referee Patrick Kalota adjudged that Sheasham goalkeeper Elton Sibanda had fouled Ali Maliselo and pointed to the spot. Herentals’ victory while helping them to move into the top four at least for 24 hours, derailed Sheasham’s march away from the relegation zone. The Students coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziwa was happy to see his charges bounce back after suffering a 1-0 midweek reverse to
Sheasham gaffer Lizwe Sweswe blamed the defeat on the mistake by his goalkeeper but noted that they need to collect maximum points in their next game as they seek to avoid relegation. While Sibanda was the villain towards the end he had brilliantly tipped over a Milton Chimedza header after just four minutes as Herentals got off to a fiery start.
Elsewhere at Gibbo, Ghanaian international and Triangle top marksman Wilson Mensah’s second-half penalty kept the home side’s survival hopes alive as they salvaged an important point in a 1-1 draw against resurgent Simba Bhora.
In a game played under the scorching heat of the Lowveld, Simba Bhora captain Tinashe Balakasi had earlier scored a beauty of a goal two minutes before half-time after being gifted by Triangle goalkeeper Talbert Shumba.
Instead of back pedalling and collecting the ball easily inside his box, Shumba somehow chose to clear but his headed effort unfortunately fell into Balakasi’s path and the rangy forward duly punished him when scoring his ninth goal of the season and sending his team to ninth position on the log standings and closer to safety.
The hosts were then handed a lifeline when the referee pointed to the spot in the 64th minute after Simba Bhora defender Webster Tafa hacked down Never Rauzhi, who was unplayable inside the box.
Mensah sent Simba Chinani the wrong way for his seventh goal of the season. The crucial point helped Triangle secure some breathing space as they moved into 14th place with 31 points, edging out Sheasham and Yadah on superior goal difference.
Yadah are only in action today when they visit leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars at Baobab. At Mandava stuttering champions FC Platinum were held 1-1 by debutants Green Fuel, who continue to make strides in their bid to preserve their Premiership status.
Online Reporter