Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. MANICA DIAMONDS………. (1) 1
BIKITA MINERALS…………. 0
IN a nail-biting encounter at Sakubva Stadium, Manica Diamonds edged past Bikita Minerals with a narrow 1-0 victory, securing their spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League for another season.
The match, attended by the minister of State for Manicaland Province Misheck Mugadza, showcased the drama and intensity of Zimbabwean football, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Manica Diamonds set the tone early in the game, striking within just two minutes when veteran striker Evans Katema capitalised on a defensive mishap by Bikita Minerals’ Pascal Shumbaimwe.
Katema’s powerful volley from inside the box sent shockwaves through the crowd, igniting celebrations among the home supporters who sensed a timely escape from relegation.
Despite the early setback, Bikita Minerals rallied to recover, showcasing their determination to fight for survival.
In the 9th minute, Manica Diamonds’ Tinotenda Murasiranwa came close to doubling the lead, only to be denied by the crossbar, a glaring reminder of the thin margins in football.
Bikita Minerals, aware of the stakes, pushed hard for an equaliser, with Fitzgerald Banda coming agonisingly close in the 29th minute. His header from a free-kick sailed just inches wide, while in the 37th minute, Banda found himself again on the cusp of scoring, his shot striking the woodwork as the fans collectively held their breath, believing they were about to level the score.
As the first half drew to a close, Manica Diamonds’ Bret Amidu squandered a golden opportunity to extend the lead when he failed to convert a loose ball inside the box, leaving the teams to go into halftime with the score still at 1-0.
The second half saw Bikita Minerals come out with renewed vigour, desperately seeking to change the game’s momentum.
The introduction of midfielder Keith Mathe injected fresh energy into the squad, leading to several close-range opportunities. Despite their efforts, Bikita struggled to find the back of the net.
In the 68th minute, Banda’s header grazed the upright, intensifying the urgency on the field. Moments later, in the 74th minute, Tinashe Ruzive’s header again struck the crossbar, with the rebound cleared off the line by the impressive Farai Banda, whose defensive performance was pivotal in securing the victory for Manica Diamonds.
Post-match, Manica Diamonds coach Tafadzwa Mashiri expressed relief and gratitude for the hard-fought victory.
“It is a sweet victory for us as a team. It is a sweet victory for our supporters and stakeholders. It is good that we have survived relegation,” he stated.
Mashiri lauded his players for their fighting spirit, acknowledging that while they could have scored more, the team made the most of their chances.
On the other side of the field, Bikita Minerals coach Wilson Mutekede reflected on the unfortunate turn of events that led to their relegation.
“There are unfortunate events. We tried our best, but there are some things beyond my control that contributed to the loss. We operated on a zero budget, and I feel sorry for the dedicated youngsters who, despite their hard work, have been relegated,” he lamented.
Despite the disappointment, Mutekede remained proud of his team’s performance.
“In this game today, we played well and we dominated them. It’s only that my defender made a schoolboy blunder, and our opponents capitalised on that,” he said.
The victory for Manica Diamonds not only highlighted the thrill of survival in competitive football but also left Bikita Minerals to ponder their next steps after their relegation from the top flight.
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