Mwos . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
TelOne . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
MWOS maintained their unbeaten run and remained top of the log standings after they staged a remarkable comeback to hold a nine-men TelOne in a drama filled match at Ngoni Stadium in Norton yesterday.
The visitors looked to be cantering to a victory following Eriya Mafirenyika's 10th minute headed goal, and Milton Chimedza's brilliant finish three minutes after the restart.
Innocent Zambezi pulled one back with a headed effort on 62nd minute but the Hebert Maruwa's coached side were presented with a golden chance to restore their two goal advantage when they were awarded a penalty three minutes later after Washington Navaya was hacked from behind inside the box.
The league’s top goal scorer dusted himself up to take the penalty, but his tame effort was nowhere near good enough to beat goalkeeper Francis Tizayi who saved comfortably to deny the taker his ninth goal of the season.
It got worse for TelOne moments later when Allan Chapinduka and Kudakwashe Nyakudanga were sent off for misconduct.
It handed the momentum to Mwos, but it took them within three minutes of normal time for them to get the equaliser when Billy Veremu also found the back of the net with a headed effort of his own.
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Matchday referee Trinity Dirwai then surprised those in attendance, including Warriors coach Michael Nees, when he added just six minutes of stoppage time when TelOne's protest over the awarding of the penalty lasted more than that.
But still, six minutes should have been enough for the hosts to find a winner against the battling nine-men from Gweru. However, the visitors defended stoutly to walk away with a point.
With the draw, Mwos remained top of the log standings with 23 points, four points ahead of Scottland and Simba Bhora who clash at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
More pleasingly for coach Lloyd Mutasa, the draw means the debutants had kept intact their unbeaten streak after 11 rounds of matches.
For TelOne, they moved to fifth place with 17 points.
Mutasa was happy that his side showed character to stage the remarkable comeback.
"You know what, God talks to different people in different ways," he said.
"Dreams came to some of our crew, and two goals was what was given to us, and two goals we scored."
"I think from the onset, from the build-up, it was clear, you know, we believed in ourselves. And we said we are not going to lose this match," he added.
On the team's unbeaten record, which is now just six behind the 17-matches record set by Zpc Kariba in 2014, Mutasa said, "Every coach would want to break records, so if we can do it we will do it. But we are not under any pressure. Our target still remains to survive relegation, but if we are to win something then it's a bonus."
Maruwa, who had Tawanda Macheke hitting the cross bar, refused to criticize his players, including Navaya, for missing chances to put the game to bed.
He also refused to comment on the match officials' performance
"I can't talk about what I cannot control," the former Dynamos coach said.
"As for Navaya, mistakes are common in football."
