It was an intense afternoon at Sakubva Stadium as Manica Diamonds and TelOne FC played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. The hosts, Manica Diamonds, came into the fixture looking to climb above TelOne in the standings, and they started strongly, asserting control from the first whistle.
The home side struck early through Teguru in the 10th minute, setting the tone for what looked like a dominant display. Manica Diamonds continued to press high and control possession, forcing TelOne into defensive errors and limiting their chances in the first half. Their pressure paid off once again in the 40th minute when a lapse at the back from TelOne allowed Manica to double their lead, making it 2-0 going into the break.
Despite being two goals down, TelOne FC, affectionately known as the Wifi Boys, returned for the second half with renewed determination. Just five minutes after the restart, Navaya found the back of the net to reduce the deficit and give the visitors a lifeline. TelOne began to grow into the game, creating a flurry of chances and testing the Manica backline with powerful strikes from range.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 73rd minute when they were awarded a penalty, which Navaya calmly converted for his seventh goal of the season, levelling the scores at 2-2. The match remained open and competitive right until the end, with nine minutes of added time providing both sides with opportunities, but neither could find the winner.
In the end, TelOne will be pleased with their fightback away from home, maintaining their place in 5th on the league table, while Manica Diamonds remain closely behind in 6th. It was a match that highlighted the resilience and quality of both teams.
