The Sunday News
BULAWAYO Chiefs clobbered Mpumalanga 6-0 in the Zifa Southern Region Division One League to close the gap on log leaders Bulawayo City who fell to Technosphere 1-0 at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
The emphatic win saw Chiefs reduce Philani Ncube coached City’s lead at the top of the log to four points as the log leaders went down courtesy of a second half penalty strike by substitute Bekithemba Nyoni.
Chiefs, who are now using Fairbridge as their home ground got their goals through double scorers Joseph Mutambidzwana, Mkhululi Dube, a goal apiece from Proud Zireni and Desire Shumbanhete.
Yesterday’s win means that Technosphere have completed a double over the City of Bulawayo sponsored team as they beat them 3-0 in the reverse fixture played in Hwange.
Chiefs, coached by Thulani Sibanda showed they cannot be ruled out of the title race as they turned on the power with six goals that enabled them to achieve a superior goal difference over City, a factor that might have a bearing on the title race. Zireni opened the scoring in the first half which saw Chiefs lead 1-0 going into the break before they hit the target five times in the second half.
The match at Luveve Stadium began on an even footing as both sides sought to stamp their authority but none managed to gain dominance and there were few chances at goal for either team with Makhosi Ncube getting the only clear-cut chance when he took a free kick 28 yards from goal but it went straight to Technosphere goalkeeper Kelvin Nyoni.
The second half saw the home side coming back more determined and dominating proceedings but Technosphere’s defence thwarted any moves towards goal.
A counter attack by the visitors in the 63rd minute saw Manyando Ndlovu outpace Peace Tshuma and as they were in the box, Tshuma went down before Ndlovu followed him and referee Mlindeli Ndebele pointed to the spot much to the chagrin of City players and officials who protested the decision as they felt it was their player who was infringed on. Bekithemba Nyoni stepped up and sent Ndodana Sibanda, in between the posts for City, the wrong way to earn his side the crucial three points.
Technosphere coach Try Ncube was ecstatic with the win, saying the game went according to plan but conceded City remain the best side in the league.
“It was a hard fought win as we were playing an equally good side. However, the game went according to plan as our aim was to pile the pressure on City in the midfield and also close the blind sides and then hit them on the counter and this worked well for us. We are happy with the three points but City clearly remain the best side in the league as they have a good coach,” he said.
City’s assistant coach Farai Mujokoro said it was a good game and it was unfortunate they failed to convert the chances they created.He felt the referee made a wrong call on the penalty and it was his side that should have been awarded a free kick.
“I think the loss will only prove a motivating factor for the boys, for us nothing has changed and we remain on track.
“Although we do not want to talk about the match officials it is unfortunate most of the referee’s decisions were against us,” said Mujokoro, who was sent off in the 41st minute for remonstrating against Ndebele when he gave a free kick to their opponents.
Bulawayo City fans who included councillors hurled all sorts of insults at the referee and his near side assistant referee Faith Mloyi, questioning almost every decision made by the match officials. There was even a confrontation with fans in the terraces involving City goalkeeper Sibanda and skipper Xolisani Moyo.
Results of other matches played yesterday
Blackboots 0-0 Casmyn, Hwange Juniors 0-1 ZPC Hwange, Ntabazinduna 0-1 Amagagasi, NUST 2-1 Trumus, Indlovu Iyanyathela 2-1 Makomo
