Onward Gangata
IT is just one match before the half way stage of the season following the completion of Match day 16 which saw dramatic scenes in a couple of matches. Chelsea Nyakope’s stunning goal from range, Ishmael Wadi’s moment of madness and that howler by Caps United goalkeeper, Wallace Magalane.
Here are the five talking points:
1. Hardrock regains top spot
After surrendering pole position to Scottland 24 hrs earlier when the defending champions beat Herentals 2-0, Hardrock climbed back to the apex of the standings with a well worked 3-0 victory against Simba Bhora.
Washington Navaya once again underlined his growing influence for the Kwekwe side with a sublime performance.
The reigning soccer star of the year scored a first half double as the Kasongo boys reclaimed top spot.
Hardrock coach, Kelvin Kaindu could not hide his admiration for the striker.
“We managed to score three goals,” he said.
“We also saw the value we missed in Navaya in the last two games, he came back and scored two goals.
Pic credit: Hardrock fc
“Scoring three and keeping a clean sheet also shows how much confidence we have in the team.”
With 31 points, Hardrock lead the pack as a result of their superior goal difference to second placed Scottland who have the same number of points.
2. TelOne finally got it right at home
It was all joy for the Wifi Boys after their first win at home this campaign when they edged Highlanders 1-0 on Saturday.
The result breathed some life into the TelOne campaign that so far has been off the rails.
Coach Saul Chaminuka now has somewhere to start from and hopes this could be the turning point for their season.
“It has been a long time coming, the games that we were losing it was not because we were a bad team,” he said.
“Now the target is to keep winning and make sure we escape the relegation because we do not belong there.”
3. Caps United end four match winless run
Having endured a four match winless run, Caps United got their campaign back on track with a 3-2 win against ZPC Kariba.
Ishmael Wadi got a double for Makepekepe before turning villain after getting a red card in the closing stages of the match.
Caps goalkeeper, Wallace Magalane almost cost Makepekepe when he gifted ZPC Kariba with a life line for the second goal.
“After the mistake by Wallace, we showed character to fight back as a team and retake the lead,” said Caps United coach, Takesure Chiragwi.
The Harare side are third on the log standings with 31 points same as Hardrock and Scottland but have an inferior goal difference.
4. Dembare and the numbers game
Week in week out, Dynamos keep showing they are the big boys in the league.
Barely a fortnight after pulling a huge crowd against Hardrock at Chahwanda stadium against Hardrock, the Mbare side did it again in Mutare.
Their match against Manica Diamonds was once again delayed as thousands is f fans were stuck outside the stadium.
Dembare were unlucky to concede a late goal in added time as Manica Diamonds forced a 2-2 draw.
5. Benjani worried by blunt strike force
Highlanders became the first team to lose to TelOne at Ascot stadium this season.
In all fairness, Bosso were the better team and deserved something from the match had it been for their lack of precision in front of goals.
“Losing in that manner is always difficult, we had a lot of chances that we couldn’t convert, we controlled the match in the first half but going forward in that final third,we didn’t have that desire, that high tempo,” said Mwaruwari.
