The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
Herentals…………………………………… (1) 1
Bulawayo City …………………………………(0) 1
A LAST gasp equaliser by Bulawayo City’s Lewis Ncube denied ambitious Herentals a chance to shoot to the summit of the Castle Lager Premier League log standings when they forced the students into a share of the spoils at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Herentals had seemed to be on course to protect their advantage off a fourth minute strike by newboy John Zhuwao.
But the Students had their hearts broken in the final minute of the match when Ncube levelled matters.
With log leaders Manica Diamonds being restricted to a 1-1 draw by Yadah at Baobab, a win by Herentals would have seen them take over pole position.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva blamed his charges for a loss of concentration towards the end of the game.
“We played well, and we could have won the game but a loss of concentration from our charges resulted in a painful draw.
“Going forward this is one area we should work on, but overall I was happy with the performance of the team,” said Mutiwekuziva.
His counterpart at Bulawayo City, Philani “Beefy’’ Ncube, praised his players for their resilience.
“I am happy with the point that we managed against Herentals, it was a good result for us because if we had lost against them our win over Highlanders last week would have appeared like a fluke.
“I always tell my players that a match ends when the referee blows the final whistle,” said Ncube.
Herentals, who are yet to taste defeat this year, got an early lead which emanated from a fine build up initiated by another new acquisition Edgar Mhungu.
Mhungu found Prince Chama on the right flank who did well to beat his marker before sending in a low cross, which was tapped in by ex-CAPS United striker Zhuwao.
That early goal helped settle Herentals’ nerves and gave them the confidence to take the game to Bulawayo City.
Bulawayo City were being forced to defend deep but luckily for them the hosts could not find another breakthrough with a number of clear-cut chances going to waste.
The visitors had an opportunity to level matters a minute before the break when a seemingly harmless cross from Wilfred Munorwei from the left flank ended up being cleared off the line by Zibusiso Rugucho.
This was to be the only attempt Bulawayo City made at the Herentals goal in the first half.
Both coaches made some tactical substitutions in the second half, which breathed life into the game.
Despite the second period turning into a balanced affair, Herentals still had better scoring chances with Zhuwao coming close to grabbing his brace in the 53rd minute while Chama could have registered his name on the score sheet five minutes before the end.
On both occasions, Bulawayo City had their goalkeeper Bhekimpilo Ncube to thank as he came to the party to deny Herentals a chance to extend their lead.
Second half substitute Blessing Majarira also had an opportunity to kill off the game as a contest in the 89th minute when he broke loose on the right flank only to see his effort ricochet off the woodwork and back into play.
That rebound allowed City to launch their counter-raid, in virtually the last attack of the game which initially yielded a free-kick some 30-yards from the Herentals goal.
From the resultant set piece, Lukas Sibanda flighted in a high cross which was met by Lewis Ncube who did well to beat Takudzwa Chikosi in goals for Herentals.
PSL results:
Herentals 1-1 Bulawayo City
Yadah 1-1 Manica Diamonds
FC Platinum 1-0 Harare City
Bulawayo Chiefs 0-2 Dynamos
