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Oscar Rusenga in Chisumbanje

Greenfuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (0)1

Telone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (1)1

Greenfuel and TelOne scored identical goals in each half as they settled for a draw in an exciting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at GreenFuel Arena yesterday.

It was not a completely new environment for the visitors as TelOne first assistant coach Chasten Ngondonga led the Chisumbanje based outfit in 2019 and his experience on the conditions came in handy.

The visitors looked very comfortable on enemy territory.

Former Triangle United captain Eriya Mafirenyika, who joined TelOne at the beginning of the season, rose high to convert Fradreck Muza’s well taken set piece which GreenFuel goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya failed  to clear in the 10th minute.
It was Mafirenyika’s second goal after scoring the 2024 league’s first goal of the season in their opening match.

GreenFuel finally settled as the half wore on but could not breach TelOne’s stubborn defence marshalled by veteran Mafirakureva and Admire Dzumbunu.

The home side however got a good chance to equalise but Young Warriors midfielder Washington Mapuwa who has been in good scoring form for both club and country could not do justice to a perfect cross by Brian Chikwenya.

The second half surely belonged to the home side and everything changed after a tactical substitution by seasoned gaffer Rodwell Dhlakama, who introduced veteran striker Donald Ngoma at restart.

Ngoma didn’t take long for his presence to be felt in the opposition box with a good header just two minutes into the second half which was cleared by Admire Dzumbunu.

Moments later, Ngoma sent another header narrowly over bar.

GreenFuel created another good chance four minutes later but midfielder Bruno Mtigo aimed his effort straight at the advancing keeper in a one-on-one situation after another beautiful cross from Chikwenya.

The visitors responded with the substitution of their own bringing on defender Leo Hofisi for attacking midfielder Tafadzwa Sibanda as GreenFuel waited to take a corner kick in the 58th minute.

The decision backfired as TelOne were caught sleeping and Chivandire ghosted at the back-post to head home his second goal of the season from Chikwenya’s corner kick to level matters.

Exciting midfielder Tinotenda Meke gave the visiting defenders a torrid time with his pace and dribbling skills but was wasteful in front of goal.

Dhlakama said TelOne unsettled them by taking an early lead.

“I thought playing at home would give us an edge especially playing in front of our supporters but their (TelOne) early goal unsettled us and that changed the dimension of the game. 

“We regrouped and came back stronger in the second half, created many chances and we could have collected maximum points but it wasn’t our day and we give credit to the opposition team for their fighting spirit”, said Dhlakama.

His opposite number Tendai Chikuni applauded his boys and was happy with a point on the road.

“We played first half and second half belonged to GreenFuel so it was a game of two halves and we are happy with a point away from home, credit to the boys for the good performance and fighting spirit.”

Teams

Greenfuel: Nedrick Madeya, Raymond Uchena, Munyaradzi Diro, Reginald Chinemo, Learnmore Muyambo, Anelka Chivandire, Washington Mapuwa (Donald Ngoma 46min), Bruno Mtigo (Tinotenda Mutyambizi 81min), Tinotenda Meke, James Nguluve (Clive Rupiya 81min)

Telone: 

Matripples Muleya, Trust Nyabinde, Marlvin Kwinjo, Eriya Mafirenyika, Admire Dzumbunu, Polyster Shoko, Blessing Sahondo, Frankson Bushiri, Blessing Sibanda, Fradreck Muza, Tafadzwa Sibanda (Leo Hofisi 57min)