Tsholotsho survive

Tsholotsho 1 - 1 Harare City
TSHOLOTSHO extended their stay in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League beyond this season when they drew with Harare City at White City Stadium yesterday.

Iziqholo ZeZhwane had led for most parts of the game through a first half goal by Kriess Chitiyo, only to let Kudakwashe Kumwala equalise for a wasteful Harare City at the end. For their survival Tsholotsho had Dynamos to thank after the former champions defeated Buffaloes 1-0 at Sakubva Stadium in Mutare.

A draw meant that Tsholotsho endured a few anxious minutes soon after referee Allen Basvi blew his final whistle. When news filtered through that Buffaloes who trailed Tsholotsho by a point heading into the final day had been beaten by DeMbare, the Tsholotsho fans invaded the pitch in celebration. Tsholotsho ended the season with 31 points secured from six wins and a massive 12 draws.

In an action filled match, Harare City were the first to get a chance to score. Talent Chawapiwa's dangerous looking cross was headed over by Honey Chimutimunzeve 13 minutes into the encounter. A minute later, Chimutimunzeve was given enough time to twist and turn in the box but his shot at goal was not powerful enough to trouble Tsholotsho goalkeeper Nickel Marichi.

Chitiyo came close for Tsholotsho in the 16th minute, his snap shot was saved by Tatenda Munditi, in goals for Harare City.

As Tsholotsho worked hard for their safety, an unmarked Chitiyo in the box found the target, benefiting from a good cross delivered from the left by Simbarashe Gorogodyo to slam the ball into the nets. A blunder by a jittery Marichi nearly saw Harare City pull one back with eight minutes remaining in the first half only for Martin Vengesayi to shoot wide off target.

In the second half, a great block by Spar Dube denied Vengesayi a shot at goal eight minutes into the second period. Four minutes after, Chimutimunzeve headed over the bar while Kumwala guided his header wide off target in the 62nd minute.

As Marichi continued to be exposed, his failure to deal with a cross resulted in the ball falling to Chimutimunzeve whose header was wide off target. Substitute Kudzanai Machazane could not punish Harare City after a nice lay off by veteran Joel Luphahla, the young striker's shot at goal drawing out a brilliant save from Munditi in the 76th minute.

Harare City had an opportunity to draw level nine minutes before the end when substitute Benson Maglasi failed to beat Marichi. Lynoth Chikuhwa had the ball in the back of the net for Tsholotsho in the 84th minute but the flag was up for offside.

Just when Tsholotsho thought that they had wrapped it up, Kumwala found himself unmarked in the box in the 90th minute and obliged by blasting the ball past Marichi.

Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe paid tribute to his boys for managing to survive their first season at the top. He disclosed that conceding the late goal did not concern him as he had all the confidence that they survived. He urged local clubs to stick to their players even after being relegated and stop recycling athletes. Sweswe made a plea for a stadium to be constructed in Tsholotsho as that will help a lot in allowing the club to set up junior structures.

The teams that got demoted were Buffaloes, Dongo Sawmill, Whawha and Flame Lily. Joining the big boys are Bulawayo City from the Southern region, Border Strikers from Central region and Ngezi Platinum from Northern region. Winners from the Eastern region were yet to be confirmed with Mutare City tipped to sail through.

Teams

Tsholotsho: Nickel Marichi, MacClive Phiri, Spar Dube, Donald Dzvinyai, Nkosilathi Moyo, Butholezwe Ncube, Simbarashe Gorogodyo, Joel Luphahla, Kriess Chitiyo, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Nixon Gama(Machazane 63 minutes)

Harare City: Tatenda Munditi, Raymond Uchena, Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye, Themba Ndlovu, Munashe Chinembeza(Chipangura 82 minutes), James Jam, William Manondo, Kudakwashe Kumwala, Honey Chimutimunzeve, Talent Chawapihwa (Maglasi 73 minutes)