BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA IN RUSAPE
Manica Diamonds………(0) 1
Herentals………………(1) 1
MANICA Diamonds fought hard and long to come from a goal down and force a share of the spoils in a Castle Lager Premiership tie against Herentals at Vengere Stadium yesterday.
Veteran midfielder Liberty Chakoroma scored the equaliser on 56 minutes, profiting from a pass by Pascal Manhanga.
The result ended a two-match losing streak for the Gem Boys who lost the previous match away to Highlanders last week.
Herentals raced into the lead in the first minute when Tafadzwa Jimu found the back of the net with a powerful low shot following a set-up by Blessing Majarira.
They enjoyed superiority after the lead but the home team also threatened with Farai Muguwu coming close on five minutes.
Muguwu, however, could have levelled matters after 29 minutes when dribbled past a couple of defenders but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi.
As Manica Diamonds regained dominance, Chakoroma was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance, blazing over from a set up by Manhanga.
Chakoroma however, made amends in the second half when bundled the ball into the nets on 56 minutes.
Still, Herentals posed a threat with Jimu coming close four minutes later only for his effort to crash against the upright post. Mugumwa thought he had scored for Manica on 69 minutes but referee Patrick Kalota ruled that there was a foul.