BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . (1) 1
TELONE . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
BULAWAYO Chiefs were left frustrated after conceding a last-minute goal and being denied a penalty in additional time, resulting in a 1-1 stalemate against TelOne at Luveve Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Chiefs thought they had secured maximum points at home courtesy of a Panashe Shoko's goal, but Kudzai Jaison's 90th-minute equaliser from a set piece denied them victory.
The Thulani "Thuts" Sibanda-mentored Amakhosi side took the lead through Shoko in the first half, but Jaison's stunning free-kick leveled the score.
The home side felt hard done as they were denied a penalty by referee Prince Moyo in additional time, shortly after TelOne had equalised.
Sibanda expressed his disappointment, saying, "It's part of football. We need to work on defending setpieces because we are conceding from them, not open play. The boys are improving daily, considering we had to change the team after losing players in the mid-season window."
His opposite number, Hebert "Jompano" Maruwa, was pleased to have collected a point on the road, believing it plays a crucial role in their fight for survival.
"We're happy with how we came back in the second half after going down in the first half. "We will survive. We travelled from Gweru and managed to get a point. We added more numbers going forward and applied ourselves well," said Maruwa.
Shoko put Chiefs in front with a brilliant tap-in from a low cross supplied by Highlanders loanee Reason Sibanda in the 32nd minute.
Amakhosi had the lion's share of ball possession and created several chances, but TelOne's equalizer denied them maximum points. The result did not do much for either team, as they remained stuck in the relegation zone. Chiefs moved to 28 points, just three points above the drop zone, while Telone remained fourth from bottom with 25 points from 24 matches.
Teams:
Bulawayo Chiefs:
Prosper Matutu (Tinotenda Chinoviringa, 45mins), Courage Mabhena, Leroy Ndlovu (Ciphas Musikavanhu, 64mins), Bukhosi Sibanda, Emmanuel Chikwende, Lucky Ndlela (Blessing Munkuli, 64mins), Panashe Shoko (Godfrey Muchenje, 85mins), Joe Nyabinde (Nkosilathi Ncube, 46mins), Jameson Masaza, Robert Kwaramba, Reason Sibanda.
TelOne:
Alois Tangwara , Washington Navaya (Leroy Mugoni, 75mins), Nkosiyabo Masilela, Leo Hofisi (Lloyd Gwerina, 75mins), Allan Chapinduka, Trust Nyabinde, Admire Dzumbunu, Xolisani Moyo (Fradrick Muza, 75mins),Tafadzwa Sibanda, Hughe Chikosha (Kudzai Jaison, 55mins), Tafadzwa Jaravani.