Miracle Boys pull 4 points clear as title race takes shape
Yadah have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League after a crucial 1-0 victory over Tenax at The Heart Stadium.
With the resumption of the second half of the season after a two week break the league table from the East is starting to tell a story at both ends, Yadah pulling away, and the chasing pack dropping points when it mattered most..
A Gift Saunyama 80th minute penalty was enough to separate the two sides.
Tenax played more than half an hour with 10 men after a red card in the 56th minute, and despite late pressure could not find an equalizer.
That result took Yadah to 43 points from 19 games 13 wins, 4 draws and just 2 defeats.
With the best defensive record in the league having conceded only 7 goals, they sat 4 points clear at the summit.
Their closest challengers faltered. Second-placed Africa Mineral Ventures FC were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Manica Diamonds U19 FC on Friday, staying on 39 points.
Third-placed Grand Legacy FC did their part on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Green Fuel FC in Murehwa thanks to a Nigel Chipunza brace, moving to 38 points.
But Green Fuel’s defeat meant they slipped to 5th on 34 points, behind Deportivo La Murambinda who lost 2-1 away to Destiny Stars FC on Friday.
Week 20 was also the weekend of new beginnings.
Grand Legacy’s win was the first for new coach Paul Chimalizeni.
In Masvingo on Saturday, Patrick Mandizha’s first game in charge of Masvingo United ended in a 2-2 thriller away to Great Zimbabwe University FC, with Trevor Malubani’s 85th minute equalizer cancelling out early goals from Leanard Fiyado and Phisiwell Madhazi.
Lovemore Dzoro also started well at Renco Mine FC on Saturday, watching his side come from behind to beat Mutare City Rovers 2-1 away at Chisamba, with Michael Chingarande scoring both goals for Renco.
Bikita had a good Sunday as both teams from the mining town registered wins on the road.
Bikita Minerals got a 2-1 away win at Buffaloes FC at Mutare Showgrounds, with debutant Prince Makurumidze signed from GZU in the mid-season window scoring in the 28th minute before Bernard Duncan made it 2-0.
Buffaloes’ Aldridge Mubango pulled one back but it wasn’t enough.
Meanwhile Bikita Chida Athletic Club also won on the road on Sunday, beating Chivhu FC 2-0 at Garwe Stadium through goals from Panashe Mafondokoto and Luckmore Tafirenyika.
The other results saw Four Lions FC and FC Wangu Mazodze play out a 1-1 draw on Saturday, while Power FC were on bye.
At the bottom, Chivhu FC remain 17th on 14 points after their defeat, while Four Lions FC are 18th on 10 points and Power FC sit 19th on 9 points with a game in hand.
Yadah have breathing space for the first time this season, but 4 points is not a lot with so much football left.
AMV had the best attack with 30 goals but couldn’t break down U19s. Grand Legacy were right there on 38 points and look dangerous under Chimalizeni.
In the relegation fight, Chivhu, Four Lions and Power are in trouble, while Bikita Chida’s win to 20 points gives them some daylight in 13th.
