Grand Legacy stun Africa Mineral Ventures
Grand Legacy redeemed themselves from last Saturday’s defeat when they recorded a narrow 0-1 victory against Africa Mineral Ventures Football Club away at Vengere Stadium in an epic Week 14 Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League match played in Rusape on Wednesday afternoon.
The win puts the Murehwa side right back into the championship jigsaw, especially after favourable results from other centres tilted the table.
It was more than three points at stake.
For Africa Mineral Ventures coach Collin Chinyani, it was the first time he faced his former paymasters after ditching Grand Legacy FC for AMV nearly seven weeks ago.
The touchline battle was tense. Grand Legacy were his project, his players, his system. Today they showed him what he left behind.
True to Willard Katsande’s prediction, Grand Legacy did the damage early. After losing at home to Mutare City Rovers over the weekend, their first loss on home turf; the Warriors legend vowed to collect maximum points away.
He delivered. Impressive midfielder Panashe Nandolo struck in the 11th minute, his seventh goal of the season, to hand Africa Mineral Ventures their second home defeat.
Incidentally, it was also Chinyani’s first home loss as AMV gaffer.
AMV threw everything at Grand Legacy after conceding early, but the visitors were resolute.
Veteran Stephen Makatuka put in a man-of-the-match performance at the heart of defence, reading danger and snuffing out attacks all afternoon.
Behind him, reigning Pacific Storm May Goalkeeper of the Month Danny Tagara was outstanding in the second half.
He made several crucial saves to deny the marauding home side, with Tagara proving the difference according to Chinyani.
Midfielder Blessing Sarupinda was voted Player of the Match for AMV, but even his second-half orchestration found no joy as Grand Legacy shut the gates.
The win moves Willard Katsande’s men into third on 25 points, just three off the summit. It also underlines why he was voted Coach of the Month for May.
Speaking to Fanzone after the match, Katsande called it a “personal game” because of the recent coaching swap between the two clubs: “It raised the bar a bit. AMV have been doing well in the league so of course it was going to be tough and tense. We planned very well as the technical team and we knew how much they were going to play and come to us. We executed the game plan and were successful. Now it is a matter of continuity. The game was tough especially in the second half. We were away, they were trailing and they threw everything at us. We absorbed the pressure very well. The credit must go to the players; they showed resilience, they showed the great mentality which is a championship mentality. Now we are back into it. We wanted this win to redeem themselves from the backlash at home. We don’t want to get carried away. We’re looking forward to the next encounter but the bottom line is we need to enjoy this victory and build consistency going forward.”
His opposite number Collin Chinyani took the defeat hard but stayed defiant: “On this day we lost the battle but we did not lose the war. We played well, created good chances but couldn’t find the back of the net with Daniel Tagara being the difference. The early goal we conceded became key with Legacy defending well looking for counter attacks. We set our sights on the next assignment in Mashava versus Great Zimbabwe University FC with hopes of getting back to winning ways.”
The result shakes up the log. Log leaders Yadah FC were held to a 1-all draw away at Mucheke Stadium by Four Lions FC. Yadah sit on 28 points, joint top with Tenax CS FC who beat Deportivo La Murambinda FC 1-0 at Mutare Boys High. Yadah lead on goal difference, while Grand Legacy sit three points back with momentum.
Other Week 14 Results:
Tenax CS FC 1-0 Deportivo La Murambinda FC
Mutare City Rovers FC 1-0 Great Zimbabwe University FC
Green Fuel FC 3-0 Power FC
Four Lions FC 1-1 Yadah FC.
Action continues tomorrow with a number of fixtures lined up for tomorrow as week 14 concludes.
