Trust Rukwava
Centre News Sports Hub
Mucheke Stadium- Masvingo United FC drew one all against Mutare City Rovers in a tightly contested Tuesday encounter while their City rivals FC Wangu Mazodze had dispatched Manica Diamonds under 19 one nil at Mucheke Stadium earlier on.
The Una Una and Gusha Bhora encounter started with high intensity as both teams sought an early goal.
Una Una came close to scoring on many occasions but they were let down by their gunslinger who failed to convert the chances which came their way.
The visitors Gusha Bhora also created goal scoring opportunities but their opponents were resolute in defense.
Una Una got the breakthrough in the 44th minute when the center referee adjudged that a Mutare City player had handled inside the box.
Blessing Sibanda stepped up and scored the resultant penalty giving Una Una the lead heading into the half time break.
The second half saw both coaches shuffling their charges through substitutions in a bid to turn around the encounter.
Mutare City shot stopper Augustin Mukuvatsine made several sterling saves to deny Masvingo United a second goal which could have put the game to bed.
Gusha Bhora kept pushing for an equaliser and their persistence paid off when they headed home an equaliser in the 75th minute to tie the match.
What followed was end to end action with both sides seeking the winner.
Una Una could have grabbed a late winner but Mukuvatsine was again equal to the task making two brilliant saves ensuring the match ended in a stalemate.
Masvingo United spokesperson Omen Mafa said it was a tough encounter although their target was to grab maximum points at home.
“It was not a good day in the office. However, the boys fought. We knew it was not to be an easy encounter. Our focus is now on the next assignment in Rusape. Of course, the target going into the AVM match is to collect maximum points and nothing else.” said Mafa.
Meanwhile a day earlier FC Wangu Mazodze cruised to a one nil victory over Manica Diamonds under 19 at the same venue.
The Kingdom Boys struck a well taken free kick which caught the Gem Boys defense and goalkeeper off guard thereby securing maximum points.
FC Wangu Mazodze spokesperson Courage Kandira conceded that Manica Diamonds gave them a torrid time but they are happy to have grabbed a win.
“Yesterday’s game was an eye opener which boosted morale in our stakeholders. We were under pressure from our supporters. Manica Diamonds were a tough opponent but thank God we managed to get the result although we got an unfortunate red card. We managed to contain the pressure and scored the goal which gave us a win. I promise our supporters and stakeholders that we are going to win more games to come” said Kandira.
Fellow Masvingo side GZU FC The Students failed to grind a result at after they succumbed to a one nil defeat at the hands of last season runners up Tenax CS FC.
