BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Yadah FC ………………..(3) 3 Manica Diamonds………..(2)3
BOTTOM side Yadah FC let slip a two-goal advantage, allowing visitors Manica Diamond to salvage a point in a high-scoring draw, having gone 3-1 down inside 21minutes in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
It was veteran striker Benjamin Marere, who headed home the equaliser late in the game after Stanley Ngala had reduced the deficit before halftime.
Yadah, desperate for points did not waste time, opening the scoring in the first minute through Godknows Mangani who poked home a rebound following a corner kick.
Last Jesi equalised barely five minutes later with a blistering shot from the edge of the box, but quick goals from Ralph Matema and Enock Karembu put Yadah in good position for a rare win.
A defensive tactical change by Manica Diamonds coach Johanisi Nhumwa pulling out Nelson Tachi for Pritchard Mpelele in the 24th minute inspired the team to an improbable comeback.
At the National Sports Stadium, Herentals who went into the weekend fixtures second from bottom needed a first-half hattrick from Blessing Majarira to beat fifth-placed Black Rhinos 3-0.
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Majarira found the target in the 31st, 40th and 42nd minute to give Herentals their first win in nine matches ultimately moving them out of the relegation zone up to 13th place on the league standings.
Alarm bells were already ringing for the Students who had a memorable debut season in the top flight league last season.
Defeat for Rhinos’ dented their title hopes as they remain 11 points behind leaders CAPS United who now have a game in hand with seven matches to go to the end of the season.
Another relegation candidate Mushowani Stars beat Zimbabwe’s Confederation Cup representatives Triangle 3-1 at Trojan.
All the four goals came in the second half with the hosts scoring two late goals for an emphatic win, which also saw the club move out of the relegations zone.
Joseph Tulani thrust Mushowani into the lead nine minutes after the resumption before Triangle equalised through Brian Chikwenya 12 minutes before full-time.
But there was enough time for Paul Chiramba and Charles Rukwanhi to score and ensure the cash-strapped league debutants ignited hopes of survival.
Mushowani went into the week 27 fixture third from bottom and climbed four places into 12th position.
Interestingly, wins by Herentals and Mushowani sucked Harare City and Hwange into the relegations zone, while Bulawayo Chief sits second from bottom on the log standings
Harare City travel to the Colliery to face Hwange this afternoon in fixture that is expected to reshuffle the relegation one more time this weekend.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League fixtures and results:
Yesterday: Yadah 3-3 Manica Diamonds; Mushowani Stars 3-1 Triangle United; TelOne 0-0 Chapungu; Herentals 3-0 Black Rhinos
Today: Hwange v Harare City (Colliery)
Wednesday: Ngezi Platinum Stars v Bulawayo Chiefs (Baobab); Dynamos v FC Platinum (Rufaro); ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Nyamhunga); Chicken Inn v CAPS United (Luveve).
