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Grace Chingoma–Senior Sports Reporter
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HERENTALS coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva purred over a beautiful goal that was scored by Manica Diamonds skipper Liberty Chakoroma as the two sides shared the spoils in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Mutiwekuziva said he is expecting a number of classical goals in the Premiership season after yesterday’s match which witnessed two good goals from the two teams.
The former Warriors defender reminded fans why he was a household name few years back, and one of the most sought out defenders when he scored a beauty, a long range outside the area in the 25th minute to give the visitors a deserved lead after asking the defence of Herentals numerous times.
It was a day of beautiful goals as Herentals responded in the 79th minute with a fantastic goal from Tafadzwa Collins Jim, who scored a low shot off a delivery from Herentals defender Zibusiso Ruguchu.
“I give credit to Liberty’s goalless, he is a seasoned player, who once played for the national team. We expect to see more such goals in the Premiership. Collins Jim also scored a good one, he is a youngster and is coming up,” said Mutiwekuziva.
Going into the game, Mutiwekuziva was hoping to pick up maximum points in his first match at home.
But the fight is still on and the hosts had to come from behind and pick a point.
The coach says the team’s Achilles Heel has become conceding first making it difficult for them to equalise and then win a match.
“We have been conceding first but to our credit we are managing to recover and share the spoils, so we have lot of work to do as clean sheets are very important in matches and build the team. This is haunting us but we are working on it,’ said Mutiwekuziva.
Manica Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera believes his team could have won the match but was satisfied with a point on the road.
“I thought we should have wrapped up the game in the first half, if we had only got the second goal it could have cushioned us into the second half but that’s football, getting a point away from home is not bad at all.
“We haven’t got three points and we are still chasing the maximum points but l think we are close now,” said Tapera.
Manica lost to CAPS United 2-0 in their opening match and drew with Triangle last weekend.
Both teams were seeking maximum points after a slow start to the season where they have managed to collect two points apiece from three games.
And yesterday, Manica Diamonds settled first and showed strong intent in the opening half.
Midfielder Talent Chamboko was a handful on the left wing and with a bit of luck could have been rewarded with at least a goal.
The hosts were also hoping to have double celebrations, that is, for their first win of the season and their director and skipper of the day Innocent Benza who recently won the ZANU PF primary elections.
But the celebration was dented with a second consecutive draw.
The Students were playing their first game at home after two away matches at Gibo against Triangle (1-0), and a draw against Green Fuel.
But after Jim’s goal who came in the last 18 minutes for Prince Chama, the hosts piled more pressure but it was a little bit too late and the two teams had to.settle for a draw.
Herentals: T. Chikosi, B. Majarira, T. Benza, K. Chitavire, A. Maliselo(M. Chimedza 59th minute), J. Zhuwawu (B. Majarira 59th minute), I. Benza (C. Mujuru 46th minute), P. Chama (T. Jim 72minute), D. Marowa (B. Phiri 46th minute), W. Kapumha, Z. Ruguchu.
Manica Diamonds: J. Muchambo, L. Masibhera, Farai Banda, T. Chisi, T. Mamvura, L. Chakoroma, B. Amidu (J. Takunda 72nd minute), P. Manhanga, D. Ngoma (F Binzi 72nd minutes), T. Chamboko, G. Bero (M. Tapera 51st minute).
Online Reporter