adminMehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho……………………….. (0) 1
Border Strikers …………………..0
A fabulous goal in the second half by right back McClive Phiri reignited hopes of Tsholotsho extending their stay in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with victory over bottom of the log Border Strikers at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Pushed into an attacking role in the second half, Phiri punished the visitors from a rebound in the 74th minute from near the centre circle to beat Talent Sande in goals for Border Strikers.
Yesterday’s triumph, their second in a row and fifth for the season saw Tsholotsho temporarily move out of the bottom two as they now have 19 points, two more than Mutare City Rovers who can, however, push Iziqholo Zezhwane back to 15th spot if they beat Triangle United this afternoon.
Lizwe Sweswe, the Tsholotsho coach was delighted with the maximum points and believes that they can survive relegation by securing more points in their outstanding seven matches. He conceded that it was not easy facing a team that is also fighting against relegation.
“In the remaining matches we have to play we have to pick up points in all the matches we play, our survival is somewhat there, what is important is just collecting three points, with the plan we had I think it worked well, we knew they were going to try kill our game so we had to go at them. They are comfortable with the ball if we had allowed them to play I know they are dangerous especially with possession,’’ said Sweswe.
A distraught Border Strikers coach Never Malunga said they tried their best to avoid defeat but conceded a harmless looking ball. He did not want to say much about his team’s chances of remaining in the top flight with seven matches left for them.
“It was tight, we tried to avoid defeat but it was unfortunate we had to concede a harmless looking ball but in football whoever takes a shot at goal if it is converted, it automatically means they have won the match, the match can only be decided with the difference of goals. We failed to contain them in the midfield, we gave them enough much time and space to look for some options upfront. For now we cannot say much about survival, anything can happen,’’ said Malunga.
The first half was a dull affair with none of the two teams showing any serious intent to find the goals.
In the second half, the match became alive as two minutes into the second period, Nixon Gama latched onto a long cross on the left side of the Tsholotsho attack but had his effort blocked by Sande.
In the 58th minute, Ocient Ncube had his free kick taken outside the box spilled over the bar by Sande.
Ephraim Mwinga almost gave Border Strikers the lead in the 72nd minute when he rattled the cross bar from near the centre circle with Nickel Marichi off his line.
Two minutes later, Tsholotsho made good use of that let off, Phiri catching Sande off guard with a rebound ball struck from outside the box.
Teams
Tsholotsho: Nickel Marichi , George Magariro, Trust Nyabinde, Spar Dube, Nkosilathi Moyo, Zimiseleni Moyo, Ocient Ncube, Rodrick Mufudza, Mustafa Ponyera(Chirwa 66 mins) , Nixon Gama, McClive Phiri
Border Strikers: Talent Sande, Shelton Mazumba, Ephraim Mwinga, Livingstone Genti(Farai 89 mins), Godfrey Mukambi, Michael Mwenya, Clever Mutendebvure(Kalunga 77 mins, David Tito(Nyoni 69 mins), Tinashe Mugadzaweta, Hughe Chikosa, Kudzanai Kwashi
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