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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
BLUE Swallows coach Tapera Maruta says his team paid a huge price for a momentary loss of concentration when they were beaten 0-1 by Flame Lily in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer league at Manyame.It was Swallows’ second defeat in six matches and came as a huge disappointment to their fans and coach who had backed them to win this tie.

Maruta said although his charges competed well, for most of the game, they lost their concentration when it mattered more in time added on and their experienced opponents grabbed the priceless winner.

“We played well, we had an upper hand for the entire 90 minutes but it’s only that we went to sleep, in the last seconds of the game, and that’s what cost us,” said Maruta.

“We created the chances, everything went according to our game plan. It’s only that our finishing wasn’t up to the task and that is our major worry.”

Maruta said it was high time they started collecting points if they want to preserve their place in Division One.

“We have to start picking points because losing means going down the ladder, so we have to start going up the ladder,” said Maruta.
“We are just trying to work with our striking force but everything else is okay, it’s only that we are not picking points.”

The former Premiership side, who were promoted into Division One this year, have so far managed a single win, drawing three and losing two of their assignments.

They are not the only new-boys who are struggling, though.

Only Bindura United, among the new-boys, appear to have adjusted well to their new life in Division One as they are currently occupying third place on the table.

Bindura continued their good run when they beat Ngezi Platinum 1-0 on Saturday to condemn Kifton Kadurira’s men to a fourth defeat in six matches.