The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
Harare City …………………………………. 0
Manica Diamonds ………………………… 0
HARARE City might have kept their third straight clean sheet, but it was Manica Diamonds’ coach Johannes Nhumwa who was left smiling after a vital point away from home in a goalless Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
“That’s a football result, and it is not very bad in terms of the climax of the game,” said Nhumwa.
“We played very well, although we were supposed to score goals in the first half.
“When they came back in the second half, they were also on top and attacking in numbers, but we managed to stand our ground.
“This gives us hope for the future.”
He lauded seasoned goalkeeper Joram Muchambo for an outstanding game between the sticks.
“Our goalkeeper played very well.
“He is a veteran goalkeeper, has been in action for a long time and showed his qualities.
“But we need to improve on movements on attack and also create more chances.”
The match started at a high tempo as both teams searched for an early goal.
In the 59th minute, Harare City striker Clive Rupiya got a clear chance but failed to convert as Muchambo parried his effort for a corner.
He was also kept busy in the second half, thwarting everything that Harare City threw at him.
Yesterday was the third straight game in which Harare City kept a clean sheet.
But their coach Taurai Mangwiro was not too pleased with the outcome.
“We are getting a lot of encouragement from the fact that we are creating opportunities for the past three games now and we haven’t conceded a goal in our last three games.
“Today, we did well, especially in the second half, after a very nervous first half. Their goalkeeper was there to save them.
“We should have won and it has been like that in most of the games — creating a lot of chances but failing to score more goals …
“I hope better results will come but I am worried with the number of points that we are dropping at home. We are supposed to be dominating,’’ Mangwiro said.
