BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . . . . (2) 3
YADAH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
BULAWAYO Chiefs picked up another set of three points after they dismissed visiting Yadah in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
The Ninjas drew first blood in the 10th minute through Never Rauzhi, who packed a shot from the left wing, hitting the roof of the net and left Yadah goalkeeper Marshal Takarinda puzzled.
Chiefs dominated the visitors for the better part of the first half, with Yadah’s star player Khama Billiat a pale shadow of himself playing as a central striker.
They were rewarded once again seven minutes before half time, after Leeroy Ndlovu executed an almost similar screamer, but this time from the right, leaving Takarinda yet another confused spectator.
Five minutes into the second half, Jerry Chipangura’s powerful header from a Merlvin Mekiwa corner-kick kept Yadah on a good footing for an equaliser as they reduced the deficit.
Chiefs made it right on the death after substitute Benjamin Addotey grabbed the easiest of chances of burying the ball into the net, face to face with a vulnerable Takarinda.
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In the 53rd minute, Billiat hit the upright, but Chiefs goalkeeper Prosper Matutu safely collected.
Then the tables turned as Yadah were in the driving seat, but would not get the desired goals.
Chiefs quickly recovered and were on top of the situation once again.
But a deft free-kick by Billiat got to the end of Ariel Makopa in the 83rd minute and the latter hit the cross-bar with Matutu a beaten man.
Yadah threw everything at Chiefs in the dying minutes of the game, but at the end of the game, left Luveve empty-handed.
The Ninjas have won two matches against Yadah and Hwange, held Highlanders at BF and lost their first game to Green Fuel.
Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda believes his boys still need time, despite the victory over Yadah.
“We started off well. We had a good first half, our transition was good. One good thing about the team this year is we have pace upfront,” he said.
“Overall, we might not have experience, but we have got talent. That is what is pulling us through. We just hope that the boys quickly adapt to the PSL and maybe they can dream.”
His opposite, Thomas Ruzive blamed his defence for the defeat.
“The boys started very slowly and we conceded silly goals from schoolboy blenders. I think they played very well, but our defence was very jittery,” Ruzive said.
“We created a lot of chances, but we failed to utilise them. If you lose a lot of chances you are bound to be punished.”
