SHEASHAM . . . . . (2)2
ZPC KARIBA . . . . . (1)2
REFEREE Allen Basvi once again hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons after awarding Sheasham two controversial penalties against ZPC Kariba in a match that played out to a 2-2 draw at Bata Stadium yesterday.
Hilary Bakacheza converted both penalties in the first half, while Moses Dhemera and second half substitute Raphael Manuvire scored for ZPC Kariba.
ZPC Kariba remained above the relegation zone with 37 points while the Gweru based side sit on 14th position with 35 points.
"It's tough sometimes in football when you think you are going to win the match and then concede on the stroke of full time, it is hard to take," Sheasham coach Lizwe Sweswe said.
"We now need to win both our matches, we have to win them at all costs, you never know where this point will take us in the end."
ZPC Kariba stand-in coach Chenjerai Dube was pleased with his team's fighting spirit.
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"I am happy that the boys stuck to the game plan, we had planned that Sheasham must not score from open play, we did not allow them to play from the wings, " he said.
"The boys showed great character and played very well, we now need to win our next match and guarantee our safety in the league."
Sheasham were awarded a highly contested penalty on the 14th minute, when Hilary Bakacheza slipped in the box and he converted.
ZPC Kariba came close to equalising four minutes later, through Kudzanai Dhemere whose lofted shot was tipped over by Sheasham goalkeeper Elton Sibanda.
Demera also missed the target by inches as he tried to connect a cross that was whipped into the box by Samuel Makawa on the 27th minute.
Demera then restored parity on the 39th minute, tapping the ball home from close range after a goalmouth melee.
But Basvi again caught the ire of the electricity men when he awarded Sheasham another controversial penalty, this time with Stanley Mhare falling under what appeared to be a soft challenge.
And Bakacheza made no mistake from the spot kick to double Sheasham's scores. Even when they were trailing, ZPC Kariba never stopped fighting for an equaliser.
And Manuvire got the goal they needed to pick a vital point away from home as the relegation dogfight thickens.
Manuvire scored a brilliant goal in the referee's injury time, as they kept their hopes of surviving relegation alive.
TEAMS:
SHEASHAM: E Sibanda, S Mhare, C Kwaramba, P Madhazi, L Masveure(T Tsimba 90+), W Stima, D Mangesi, L Jani, H Bakacheza(K Matake 67'), T Jubane, P Shoko
ZPC KARIBA: H Makainganwa, B Mutukure, M Mukiwa, T Pio(R Manuvire 83'), K Madima, M Diro, S Makawa( F Shoko 80'), C Muleya, M Demera, L Murape, K Dhemere
