FARAI CHITOTOMBE
MASVINGO CITY-It was a battle royale for the table toppers in the ZIFA Eastern Region Division One League where flamboyant FC Wangu Mazodze faced ex Premiership side Mutare based Tenax FC last Sunday.
The game did not disappoint as it lived up to its billing and as expected the log standing changed after 90 minutes of pulsating football from the second tier division of the country’s leagues.
In the end the bast team won and Tenax unceremoniously surrendered the leadership of the log after being hammered 3-0 by the home side who were relentless from the first whistle as they attacked from all corners with a vociferous crowd cheering them from the terraces.
One soccer lover said this reminded her of the days of Masvingo United when it used to be a powerhouse in the country, playing before a fully packed Mucheke Stadium, the dreaded home of Una Una.
Zhalala Zhululu or The Kingdom Boys came for the crunch match in a no nonsense mode as they dominated play from the first whistle as they managed to force two penalties which they converted with ease in the first half.
One of the star players for FC Wangu Mazodze, Admire Banda took both penalties and he scored in style sending the fans into wild celebrations that vibrated the whole stadium.
There were some scores of violence here and there as the disgruntled fans of the visiting Tenax clashed with the local team’s fans in the terraces over the awarding of the penalties with others throwing water bottles into the pitch as a protest against what they felt was unfair penalty decisions by the referee.
Pressure mounted in the second half as the game stabilised with Tenax FC mounting counter attacks after counter attacks, but they found The Kingdom Boys’ defence unrelenting.
Zhalala Zhululu got their third goal from Nicholas Muchadeyi who sealed the game as a contest.
“We won the crucial game, we are back on top where we rightly belong and we are not looking back in our quest for honours. The Kingdom Boys were the better team of the day, we had prepared for this game for long, victory was certain,” said the spokesperson of FC Wangu Mazodze, Sukuoluhle Ndlovu.
This weekend FC Wangu Mazodze faces old boys Masvingo United, once the pride of the pride of the ancient city.
Speaking on the coming game the spokesperson for Wangu Mazodze said, “this weekend we face Masvingo United FC, it’s a derby and we are going to win.”
In other games, Manica Diamonds drew nil all with JM Busha, Midway won 2-0 against Chiredzi Stars, Surrey won 2-1 against Masvingo United, Rusitu Tigers lost 2-3 to Bikita Minerals FC at Lithium Stadium, FC Hunters lost 1-0 to Grayham FC and Buffaloes had a 1-0 win against Renco Mine FC.
