MANICA DIAMONDS . . . . . . . 0
CHEGUTU PIRATES . . . . . . . . . 0
MANICA DIAMONDS FC failed to take advantage of home supporters as they were forced to share the spoils by new boys Chegutu Pirates in a lukewarm Castle Lager premier soccer league match at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.
Manica Diamonds started with a brisk and confident tempo that had Chegutu Pirates pinned back in their own half for long periods.
However, the Gem Boys could not turn possession into goals and Zaire, as Chegutu are affectionately known, then grew into the game and started to threaten on the counter.
Both teams failed to open meaningful opportunities with such a congested the midfield.
Manica Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera believes the draw was a step “in the right direction”.
“With this result today, we are in the right direction. In terms of play we have improved greatly. We were so solid in defence, and we were moving around in the midfield.
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“We lost many chances that l think we should have scored and a point for us is very important,” he said.
Zaire coach, Day Gutu, praised his team for the fighting spirit.
“It is a very good point for us as we were playing away from home. We tried our best since we were playing a very strong team that finished second in the league last season. This is a very good result for us,” said Gutu.
Chegutu Pirates started off with a 1-0 loss to FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium.
They then lost by the same scoreline at home against ZPC Kariba in their second outing. Gutu believes the draw against the Gem Boys has opened an avenue of hope for the new boys.
Manica Diamonds lost 2-3 against Simba Bhora in the season opener and lost 3-1 the following week to topflight returnees Tel One.
Yesterday's drab draw against Zaire has brought some murmurs of discontent among Manica Diamond's die-hard supporters.
