BY FORTUNE MBELE/MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Bulawayo City…. (1) 1
Manica Diamonds… (1) 2
Herentals………(1) 1
Black Rhinos….(0) 1
BULAWAYO City were on the losing end once again, falling to Manica Diamonds at home in a rather balanced Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The local authority side lost their first 2021/22 season tie 5-0 to Ngezi Platinum Stars with Manica Diamonds picking up their second set of three points after thrashing WhaWha 4-0 in their first game.
Tichaona Mabvura opened the floodgates in the 17th minute after his first attempt from inside the penalty box was saved by City goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya.
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The local authority side equalised through Tawanda Zinaka in the 32nd minute and it ended on that note in the first half.
The visitors were a better side in the second half and were rewarded with the winner on the hour mark as Xolisani Moyo came in with a header to the end of a well-taken corner-kick by Mabvura.
Manica Diamonds defended excellently towards the end of the game as Bulawayo City mounted serious attacks on the Mutare-based side, whose intentions were clear on picking up the maximum points.
In the other match played at the National Sports Stadium, army side Black Rhinos failed to build on the season opening big win against Highlanders after coming from behind to share spoils with fellow Harare side Herentals in an entertaining match yesterday.
Both teams were battling to maintain a 100% start to the league season but had to settle for a draw.
Herentals took the lead in the first half courtesy of a brilliant goal by Avi Mataranyika, who volleyed into the top corner a Tafadzwa Jim cross in the 18th minute.
While dominating possession, Rhinos struggled to test Herentals goalkeeper Pride Mataranyika who was on vacation in the first half.
But Rhinos came from the break a rejuvenated side and needed three minutes to draw level striker Tawanda Macheke finding the bottom corner with a low free kick from the edge of the penalty box.
However, Herentals managed to reorganize themselves and defend their point till the final whistle.
Herentals who won their first match of the season after beating Harare City 1 – 0 were unlucky not to take a two goal lead to the breather, Sibusiso Ruguchu crashing his free kick on to the cross inside the first five minutes.
It was The Students who always looked dangerous on the counter attack with man of the match Tino Benza bothering the Rhinos defence the entire afternoon.
