Herentals College FC. (0)0
Yadah FC ...................(1)1
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Herentals FC appeared to have borne the brunt of their disciplinary sentence yesterday as they succumbed to a solitary goal defeat against relegation-haunted Yadah FC at an eerily empty Rufaro Stadium.
The Students were forced to play their second match of a three-game ban in a deserted arena—a harsh consequence following a recent judgement that also included a hefty fine and bans for two of their officials.
The decisive moment came midway through the first half. Striker Jerry Chipangura was brought down in the box by Herentals goalkeeper Tariq Ngwenya, prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Up stepped Innocent Mucheneka, who coolly converted the penalty in the 23rd minute for the solitary strike that would seal the vital three points for Yadah.
The goal momentarily spurred the visitors, as Mucheneka again had a sight of goal soon after, but his shot from the edge of the box sailed over.
Herentals, despite creating a lot of chances, struggled to break down a resilient Yadah defence.
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Their closest opportunity came in the 66th minute when Prince Mahembe was desperately unlucky, crashing his headed effort onto the crossbar following an Innocent Benza free-kick.
As the pressure mounted in the second half, Yadah resorted to time-wasting, with players taking turns to hit the deck.
However, their delaying tactics were ultimately successful, as they managed to hold on for a crucial victory.
The win provides a massive boost to Yadah’s survival hopes, lifting them into 16th place with 34 points from 32 matches, leaving them with two games to play.
Their direct rivals, Dynamos, are now precariously placed in 17th with the same number of points and will face Bikita Minerals today.
Herentals College FC Coach Paul Benza expressed displeasure on playing in an empty Stadium.
"It's a very big disadvantage and I don't think it's supposed to be part of football because every time we have been crying that we are supposed to be having supporters coming in to support the teams and now playing in an empty stadium, I don't think it's something that is supposed to be done," Benza said.
"There is no morale at the end and even in training we find some supporters coming in to cheer up the boys.
“For me, it's very unfortunate and I don't wish it to be done to any team and I hope it's going to end.
“Maybe they are supposed to introduce better fines than playing in empty stadiums because it's not the supporters that have wronged the game at the end of the day.”
“So they punished the people, who ruined it so there was no need to punish everyone. It was the stakeholders at the end who suffered.
“They are supposed to be marketing their brand and they cannot market when the stadium is empty," he added.
Yadah FC Assistant Coach Brenna Msiska believes the club will not be relegated.
"Now, I want to thank the boys for the three points,” Msika said
“Anyway, I would just say for the five points, we drew the two games and we are still going on for the next six points.
“So, we have to work hard so that we continue to gain results
“We are not going anywhere. As long as we are going to score goals and then defend them, we will still remain in the Premier League.”
