TELONE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2
YADAH FC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2)3
YADAH FC recorded their first win in the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season, albeit under controversial circumstances, when they edged TelOne at Bata stadium.
Despite missing injured Khama Billiat, Yadah FC put up a fine performance in the first half and went into the half-time break with a healthy cushion after goals by Prosper Kafelapanjila and Marlon Mushonga.
Blessed Ndereki grabbed their third goal in the second half before Blessing Sibanda and Jaison Kudzai reduced the arrears for TelOne.
However, the match ended on a controversial note as the referee Tichaona Tigere was mobbed by TelOne players and officials who felt he ended the match before time.
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After several stoppages, nine minutes were added, in which the Wi-Fi boys got their two goals through Kudzai and Sibanda.
And when they thought they could find an equaliser to salvage a point, Tigere blew to end the match. He was mobbed by players and was lucky to escape unharmed as fans also threw missiles.
Yadah coach Thomas Ruzive heaved a sigh of relief after the win. “We have been dominating in this match but did not get the goals to go to win,” Ruzive said.
“It's the turning point for us. We really needed this win. Luckily it ended in our favour because we had lost concentration.
“Right now, we go back home with maximum points and hopefully we will keep rising as the season goes.”
His counterpart Tendai Chikuni felt his boys deserved to win had they utilised the chances that came their way.
“We could have won this one, but unfortunately, we failed to score when we got those chances. How the match ended is beyond our control. We cannot control what referees decide,” Chikuni said.
The match had a rather slow start but the visitors looked more promising than the Wi-Fi Boys who were slow to come out of the blocks.
Yadah won a penalty in the 32nd minute when Nelson Tachi hacked down King Nadolo in the box. Kafelapanjila made no mistake from the spot.
The Miracle Boys took control of proceedings and doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute courtesy of Mushonga who curled in the ball from outside the box, beating the diving Alois Tangwara.
Ndereki got Yadah's third goal after 74 minutes. But the Harare-based side appeared to be crumbling like a deck of cards in the referee's optional time when Sibanda and Kudzai got their goals.
Teams
TELONE: A Tangwara, N Tachi, Mafirenyika, M Kwinjo, F Makambanga, P Shoko( K Jaison 50'), B Sahondo, Mujawo, B Sahondo, B Sibanda, L Gwerina(C Chidomaya 68'), T Sibanda(W Navaya 50')
YADAH FC: M Takarinda, A Gwatidzo, M Mushonga, B Ndereki, P Kafelapanjila(J Chipangura 63'), T Chikumba, E Chitauro, K Nadolo(KJuru 67'), M Mlilo(V Sango 76'), Mandivei, E Rusike(R Ncube 78')