Bitter start for “Salt & Vinegar” as Grand Legacy exit Munhumutapa Cup

Willard “Salt & Vinegar” Katsande’s reign at Grand Legacy Football Club began in the worst possible way as Grand Legacy Football Club were beaten 2-0 by Bikita Minerals Football Club at the Lithium Stadium to exit the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup.

Four late minutes of madness at Lithium Stadium saw Bikita Minerals score two quick goals to dump Katsande’s Grand Legacy out of the ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge in Saturday’s first round clash to mark a nightmare debut for the former Kaizer Chiefs hardman.

For 78 minutes, Katsande’s new-look Grand Legacy held firm. Then Bikita Minerals struck twice in four minutes to kill the tie and crush the Murehwa side’s cup dreams.

Tawanda Mulenga broke the deadlock on 79 minutes, finishing calmly to send the home fans wild.

Before Grand Legacy could regroup, Phillip Gweva, who was named Man of the Match doubled Bikita’s lead in the 83rd minute with a thunderous finish.

2-0. Game over. Cup run over for Katsande and his men.

Grand Legacy assistant coach Remembrance Chidembo was left ruing missed chances and one costly set-piece. “We dominated large parts of the game but we were undone by the corner which we failed to defend leading to their first goal,” Chidembo said. “We were the better team but as you know in cup games if you fail to convert your chances you get punished.”

It got worse for Katsande’s men. Frustration boiled over late on. George Muridzo went into the book on 65 minutes for a reckless challenge, before veteran Stephen Makatuka was cautioned deep into stoppage time for unsporting behaviour.

The drama didn’t end there. Bikita’s David Nyangaswa saw red in the 90+5 minute for violent conduct, while Grand Legacy’s goalkeepers coach Tafadzwa Dube was also sent off for dissent by word and action.

Bikita Minerals assistant coach Leeroy Chivangu praised his side’s resilience under pressure. “The boys managed the game well,” Chivangu said. “The opponents really gave us a tough time for large parts of the game but at the end of the day we managed to score and that is what matters the most. I would like to thank the boys for the fighting spirit, they managed to score and we won the match.”

A chaotic end to a bitter afternoon for Katsande, who only put pen to paper with Grand Legacy a few hours ago following his Rangers FC exit.

The “Salt & Vinegar” era starts with a sour taste.