SHEASHAM FC . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
MANICA DIAMONDS . . . . . (0)0
IN what was a bad advertisement of the local game Manica Diamonds gaffer Jairos Tapera and his technical team walked out of the pitch two minutes from time in protest of the poor officiating by referee Jimmy Makwanda after succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Sheasham at Bata stadium.
Hilary Bakacheza scored from a controversial penalty and Leonard Jani scored their second goal, to seal the all-important win.
And coach Lizwe Sweswe heaved a huge sigh of relief as they moved out of the relegation zone to 13th place, with 34 points on their tally.
Sheasham had themselves to blame in the first half, as they spurned multiple chances they could have easily converted.
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Bakacheza proved to be wasteful as most of the chances fell on him. For Manica Diamonds, Pasca Manhanga also missed from close range with his powerful volley going over the bar after 20 minutes.
Micheal Tapera also had his chances from close but he miscued his effort in the 44th minute. And the Gem Boys started the second half with more impetus.
But again, they could not hit the target with Tapera and Mavhunga forcing two good saves from Elton Sibanda.
The boiling point of the match came in the 54th minute, when referee Jimmy Makwanda awarded a dubious penalty, after Liberty Masveure fell in the box under a soft challenge from Kelvin Gwao.
And Bakacheza made no mistake from the spotkick to beat the diving Tedious Baye.
Sheasham doubled their lead on the 62nd minute, with Leonard Jani tapping the ball home from a cross whipped in by Physiwell Madhazi.
TEAMS
SHEASHAM FC: E Sibanda, S Mhare (D Masukuta 78'), C Kwaramba, P Madhazi, L Masveure(K Musharu 89'), W Stima, D Mangesi, L Jani, H Bakacheza, T Jubane, P Shoko
MANICA DIAMONDS: T Baye, L Masibera, B Chikwenya, K Gwao, T Mavhunga, L Chakoroma (B Amidu 73'), A Rupande, P Manhanga (R Kawondera 63), M Tapera, P Mtasa (G Bero 63), F Binzi (D Ngoma 73')