Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. SIMBA BHORA……. (1) 1
YADAH……………0
IT was a day that marked the end of an era.
For nine turbulent, faith-testing, yet often spectacular years, Yadah, the ‘Miracle Boys,’ had defied gravity, surviving relegation year after year through improbable last gasp efforts.
Yesterday at Wadzanayi Stadium, the miracle finally ran out.
The narrow defeat to outgoing league champions Simba Bhora in their final match of the season sealed their fate.
Yadah finished second from the bottom, condemned to the lower division alongside Kwekwe, GreenFuel and Bikita Minerals.
The 35 points they accumulated were simply not enough this time.
Going into the match, Yadah’s mission was clear. They needed a victory to have any hope of survival.
But from the first whistle, they looked weighed down by the occasion.
Their task was made exponentially harder just six minutes in when Isaskar Gurirab found midfielder Butholezwe Ncube, who side-footed the ball home to give the hosts an early lead.
The early pressure was relentless.
Goalkeeper Taimon Mvula was forced into an immediate save to deny Ishmael Nyanhi, and soon after, the woodwork rattled as Trevor Mavhunga’s headed effort cannoned off the crossbar.
The desperation showed when the technical bench led by Brenna Msiska made an early substitution, withdrawing Ryan Ncube for Jerey Chipangura after 28 minutes.
But the Simba Bhora dominance continued. Donald Mudadi nearly doubled the lead after rounding Mvula, but his moment of hesitation allowed a recovering defender to clear the danger, a reprieve Yadah desperately needed.
A woefully poor first half for the visitors gave way to a rejuvenated second.
Word of favourable results elsewhere at halftime seemed to spark the ‘Miracle Boys’ back to life, and they began the second half with urgency and purpose.
Their best chance came on the hour mark.
Defender Ishe Mauchi, in his final appearance for Simba Bhora, was penalised for handling the ball inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot. It was a lifeline, a chance to reignite the famous Yadah spirit.
But destiny had other plans.
Innocent Mucheneka stepped up to take the penalty, but with the hopes of the entire club resting on his shoulders, he blasted over the bar.
The miss seemed to drain their belief, though they continued to press.
Goals by Evans Rusike and King Nadolo were both disallowed for offside in quick succession, further frustrating their efforts. They created better chances in the final minutes, but Simba Bhora’s defence held firm, ensuring Yadah’s nine-year top-flight journey reached a dead end.
Yadah’s story, which began with their promotion in 2016, has always been defined by drama and near misses.
They built a reputation for escaping the drop in the final weeks, often upsetting the odds when all seemed lost.
This season, however, the narrative changed. The weight of their consistent struggles finally tipped the scales.
With the win, Simba Bhora finished the season third with 61 points, eight points behind the new champions, Scottland.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
