adminTsholotsho …………………………………………… (1) 1
Whawha …………………………………………………..0
TSHOLOTSHO FC emerged victorious in a relegation dogfight match that saw them collect maximum points against fellow relegation candidates Whawha in an incident-filled Castle Lager Premier Soccer league match played at White City Stadium yesterday afternoon.
It took defender Thandolwenkosi Ncube to score the all important goal for the home side and the win saw them move out of the relegation zone albeit on goal difference.
The match witnessed a two minute stoppage in the 83rd minute when a Whawha official stormed the Tsholotsho bench seeking to retrieve balls after fourth official Tambudzai Tavengwa had chased away all the balls boys at the insistence of the visiting team’s technical bench.
Tavengwa decided to chase away the ball boys after the Chekera Pasi officials felt they were deliberately wasting time by hiding the balls but with four match balls in the pitch the unidentified Whawha official approached the Tsholotsho bench and tried to forcefully take some balls leading to a scuffle that needed the intervention of referee Mlindeli Ndebele and police officers.
The incident summed up the importance of the game for the two sides that are both facing the chop. Tsholotsho now have 26 points while Whawha are stuck on second from the bottom with 20 points.
It was sweet victory for Tsholotsho after Ncube had scored off a corner taken by Joel Luphahla in the 30th minute and the significance of the win was expressed by the supporters’ celebrations after the match as they sang praises for their coach Lizwe Sweswe and momentarily had him on their shoulders. Sweswe was ecstatic with the three points saying they were valuable as far as surviving relegation is concerned.
“We are happy with the win and I think we were not complacent this time around and as the technical bench we kept pushing the boys to ensure they do not relax.
“We are obviously happy with the three points and are now looking forward to the next game and hope we continue doing well,” he said.
Whawha coach Lloyd Mutasa was a frustrated man as he engaged the match officials after the game although he refused to state his gripe with the referees.
Teams
Tsholotsho: N Marichi, M Phiri, N Moyo, W Stima, T Ncube, B Ncube, O Ncube (D Dzvinyai, 85th), S Gorogodyo, J Luphahla, K Machazane, N Gama (L Chikuhwa, 67th)
Whawha: P Sibanda, R Horongam P Maburutse, J Konono (K Bhuka, 79thh), N Gandari, S Nhamo, L Genti, B Chidzero, R Useni (B Chikwekwete, 48th), N Mazivisa, A Njoloma (A Matewu, 49th)
derick.khumalo