adminMidlands Correspondent
Whawha 0-0 Dongo Sawmills
WHAWHA rued missed chances that came their way as they were held to a goalless draw by Dongo Sawmills in a Premiership match at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday. Probably the major talking point of yesterday’s encounter was the presence of Luke Petros-Jukulile on the Whawha bench. Jukulile-Petros, the home team’s head coach, was suspended indefinitely earlier last week following a string of poor results and alleged indiscipline after a confrontation with the match officials during their game against Chapungu in a Gweru derby.
Whawha chairman, Musa Ntonga alleged it was not the first time that Jukulile-Petros had confronted match officials, saying the former Warriors’ gunman had violated Premier Soccer League rules in a match against Buffaloes in Mutare.
However, Jukulile-Petros did not issue any instructions as technical advisor Lloyd Mutasa was in charge.
Following a 0-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Vengere Stadium in Rusape last Sunday, Whawha went into yesterday’s game looking to avenge that loss, but a lack of precision in front of goal let down the home team.
Mutasa conceded that his side lacked the cutting edge in front of goal adding that he would acquire two strikers to beef up the prison warders’ attack.
“The result shows our weaknesses in front of goal. We play at home and we don’t score. If you don’t score, you can’t win games and it’s an area that we really need to address during this window period.
“We’re eyeing two strikers to come and beef up that department and probably one defender, but it all depends on how the negotiations will turn out,” said Mutasa, whose side has scored a measly eight goals so far this season.
Dongo Sawmills assistant coach Justin Bingadadi was pleased with the result.
“We’ve managed to get four points from Whawha and if we manage to do the same with the other teams we’ll play, then we’ll survive relegation,” said Bingadadi.
Whawha showed their clear intentions from the first whistle, but poor finishing by their strikers Albert Matewu and Kenneth Bhuka was a big letdown.
Dongo were comfortable with sitting back and absorbing the pressure, hoping to catch them on the counter, but they too also missed some good opportunities.
After a tale of missed chances in the first stanza, the visitors could have opened the scoring eight minutes after the breather when Deverson Maneya found possession in the box, but he skied his effort with Whawha goalie Polite Sibanda at his mercy.
Substitute Cleopas Kapupurika whipped in a good cross, which was cleared by the visitors’ defence, but the ball fell into the path of Sylvester Nhamo, who unleashed a fierce long range effort that missed the target by inches.
A minute later, Matewu shot straight at Dongo keeper Forward Pfumojena from inside the box.
Frustration began to creep into the hosts’ play, but Dongo kept their cool to collect a welcome point for them.
Online Reporter