Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Herentals ………………………………………………3
AGAMA ………………………………………………….0
IT was as good as it gets for Herentals and, by half-time, the match was over.
It was their first league win of the season while Agama fell to their third straight defeat.
Their next match is against Dynamos.
The Premiership newcomers were undone by their own errors as Herentals punished them with three first-half goals at Rufaro yesterday, leaving Mark Mathe’s side still searching for their first point of the campaign.
Across three matches, AGAMA have conceded early, lost shape quickly and struggled to recover, a pattern that now threatens to define their start to life in the top flight.
Herentals, by contrast, made their moments count and walked away with their first win of the season, moving to four points from three outings.
The Students began cautiously, content to sit off and let AGAMA enjoy possession. That patience paid off in the 23rd minute when a lapse in judgement handed them the opener.
Goalkeeper Mathias Jalazio tried to dribble his way out of trouble instead of clearing his lines.
Ralph Kawondera closed him down, stole the ball and calmly finished into an empty net.
AGAMA had barely regrouped when they were hit again. Three minutes later, Dreamer Liyeto picked up possession on the right, skipped past three defenders and struck a powerful effort from range that left the goalkeeper with no chance.
At 2-0 down, AGAMA lost all structure.
Passes went astray, the defensive line opened up and Herentals sensed the game was there for the taking.
The third goal arrived in the 38th minute.
Tinashe Mupumha cut through a disorganised backline with ease before finishing to cap a ruthless first-half display.
By the break, the contest was effectively over.
Mathe turned to his bench in the second half, looking for a response, and there was a slight improvement in energy and organisation. Still, clear chances remained scarce.
Their first real attempt on goal came in the 72nd minute when Richard Khumi struck from distance, only for Marshal Takarinda to block.
Late on, Tinashe Balakasi had a chance to reduce the deficit after being picked out by Ralph Nyamupurika inside the box, but he failed to convert.
Herentals could have added more themselves, but the damage had already been done.
Coach Paul Benza welcomed the result, admitting it eases early-season pressure while hinting at room for improvement.
“At this stage, this is what we needed. I am happy we have taken some pressure off going into match day four,” he said.
“We scored three but we created more chances in the second half and should have done better.”
For Mark Mathe, the concern runs deeper than the scoreline.
“I think we have a lot to do if we are to start collecting points,” he said.
“The boys are trying to play but they need to adjust quickly to the demands of this league. If the pass is not on, we must play simple football.
“If you look at our games, we are conceding from our own mistakes. That is what we need to fix.”
