Online Reporter
Onward Gangata, TelOne 0-1 Manica Diamonds
TELONE’S title charge suffered a huge blow after losing 1-0 to Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
This was the Wifi boys’ second defeat on the bounce after a 2-1 loss away to Ngezi Platinum Stars last weekend.
Manica Diamonds secured the victory courtesy of a Brett Amidu strike in the first half.
But in all honesty, this was a game the Wifi boys should have wrapped up in the first half, had it not been for the heroics of Manica Diamonds goalkeeper, Tedius Baye.
He made a string of saves in the opening 30 minutes to keep the Mutare side in the match.
The Gweru side have now dropped six points in their last two matches, and are slowly losing ground in the title race.
They are now in sixth place with 37 points, 10 adrift of leaders, Simba Bhora.
However, TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa is adamant that his team is still in the title race.
“There are still about 30 points to play for, we just need to re-organise ourselves and come back stronger,” he said.
“We played well, especially in the first half where we dominated play and got a lot of chances but we failed to score, but they got their chance and punished us.”
TelOne settled first, showing great intent and nearly got the opener 10 minutes in when Leeroy Murape got to the end of Tawanda Macheke’s cross only for his headed effort to go wide.
The visitors were not rolling over as Ask Rupande offered a perfect response with a stinging shot that sailed over the bar.
Baye was twice called into action in quick succession, on both occasions denying Washington Navaya, first showing great reflexes to deny the gangly striker before producing a pinpoint save to keep the striker’s header out.
The Manica Diamonds shot stopper was having a brilliant afternoon, he denied Kudakwashe Nyakudanga’s long-range effort, tipping it over, before he pushed Milton Chimedza’s header out for a corner.
After withering the storm, Manica Diamonds needed a stroke of luck to take the lead, Amidu took advantage of TelOne’s poor marking to strike home from the edge of the box.
The second half was more of the same for TelOne as they struggled to breakdown Manica Diamonds, who were happy to sit back and defend their slender lead.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Wifi boys as everything seemed to conspire against them, referee, Owen Manenda, struggled to stamp his authority with a couple of dubious calls.
TelOne were denied what appeared a penalty three minutes from time when Lawrence Mhlanga blocked Panashe Mtasa’s goal bound effort using his hands.
After that decision, TelOne failed to compose themselves rushing their play making it easy for Manica Diamonds to defend.
“It is a huge relief for us,” the Manica Diamonds gaffer, Tafadzwa Mashiri said after the match.
“From the first minute, the boys exhibited a lot of character and hard work to get the victory and doing it away from home is sweeter,” added Mashiri.
TEAMS:
TELONE: Criss Mverechena, Pawell Govere, Tafadzwa Jaravani,Admire Dzumbunu, Frank Makarati, Bruno Mtigo, Milton Chimedza (Panashe Mtasa 53’), Kudakwashe Nyakudanga (Tadiwa Mambudzi 78’), Leeroy Murape (Gerald Bero 53’) Washington Navaya, Tawanda Macheke (Elton Chikona 90+).
MANICA DIAMONDS: Tedius Baye, Farai Banda, Ask Rupande, Lawrence Masibera, Lawrence Mhlanga, Jeffrey Takunda, Clive Dzingai (Charles Teguru 70’), Kudzanai Dhemere (Rainsome Pavari 70’), Bret Amidu, Sibusiso Ndlovu (Anelka Chivandire 52’), Tinotenda Musariranwa (Fortune Binzi 52’)
