Online Reporter
Onward Gangata
GWANDA Pirates thrust themselves back into the Central Region Soccer League title race with a narrow yet significant 1-0 victory over log leaders Sheasham at Phelandaba Stadium on Sunday.
The clash had appeared to be a straight duel between Sheasham and Hardrock, but Pirates’ triumph has reopened the chase. The result marked only Sheasham’s second defeat of the season and reignited belief among the home supporters.
Sheasham remain top of the table with 66 points, two ahead of Hardrock on 64. Pirates, affectionately known as Ezimnyama Ngenkani, sit third with 58 points. With eight matches remaining, they are daring to dream of sneaking into the promotion picture.
Coach Johannes Ngodzo, a multiple league winner during his playing days with Highlanders, played down talk of promotion, insisting his focus is on steady progress.
“The only thing I came to Gwanda to do, is to compete. I came all the way here to build a competitive outfit. As far as promotion is concerned, I’m concentrating on the game at hand. The Sheasham win is behind us now. We’re focusing on the next match against FC Platinum Under-19.
“I told the players I am a winner. I’m used to competing and winning medals, not to being second best. But our biggest competition is against ourselves — to be better than we were before, not to look at how other teams are playing or the championship,” Ngodzo said.
Elsewhere, second-placed Hardrock kept their push alive with a 5-0 demolition of Jame West at Baghdad Stadium in Kwekwe. Veteran forward Donald Ngoma netted twice, with Benedict Sithole, Tinashe Mashaireni and Blessing Sibanda also getting on the scoresheet. Ngoma now has six goals in his last four games.
“It is a marathon. We are now heading towards the finishing line and we are not looking at any other team but focusing on us getting three points whenever we can,” said Hardrock coach, Calvin Maphosa.
Other results
ZRP Gwanda 0-1 West Nicholson, Chapungu 0-0 Matobo, MSU 1-1 Shabanie, Grain Tigers 0-0 FC Platinum Under-19, Blanket Mine 1-2 Gokwe North, Hardrock 5-0 Jame West, Dulibadzimu 3-0 Dinson Mvuma (walkover).
