Advantage Miracle Boys: Tenax held by AMV as Yadah watch from the sidelines

The Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League title race took another twist yesterday at Mutare Boys High, as second placed Tenax CS FC and third placed Africa Mineral Ventures FC played out a tense, goalless draw in a week 25 encounter.

With log leaders Yadah not in action this weekend due to a bye, it was the perfect chance for Tenax to close the gap. A win would have cut the deficit to the Miracle Boys to just 2 points and moved Tenax onto 50 points. Instead, the stalemate leaves them 4 points behind Yadah, a setback in their championship push.

For AMV, it was another point on the board. The draw takes them to 45 points, 7 behind Yadah and 3 behind Tenax. With 11 games to go, AMV remain firmly in the hunt, even if they will feel they missed a chance to really pile pressure on both teams above them.

The game itself was cagey, with both sides clearly wary of making the first mistake in a match that carried huge implications. Tenax pushed for the breakthrough that would have reignited their title charge, but AMV’s new-look setup held firm. Chances were few and far between, and both goalkeepers were rarely troubled as defenses edged the contest.

It was also a day of new beginnings on the AMV bench. It was an encouraging start for newly appointed experienced coach Arthur Tutani, who took charge for the first time after replacing the recently departed Collin Chinyani. Off the field, AMV have also gone for experience by appointing the self styled “doctor of football” Luke Masomere as Director of Football at the club. The double appointment signals clear intent from AMV as they try to navigate their way towards the Premier Soccer League.

The result means Yadah FC are the biggest winners of the weekend without even kicking a ball. Their nearest challengers have failed to capitalize, and the Miracle Boys now have breathing space heading into the final stretch.

It remains to be seen how the championship race in the East pans out, but for now the momentum is with Yadah. Their nearest rivals Tenax were held in Mutare as match day 25 roared into life this afternoon, and with only 11 games left, every dropped point counts.

Tenax will feel this was two points dropped in their bid to catch Yadah. AMV will take the point and the clean sheet under a new coach as progress. But in a title race, draws like this often tell the story.