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Augustine Hwata Senior reporter
Harare City 0

Tsholotsho FC (0) 1

Unheralded midfielder Simbarashe Gorogodyo made history for himself when he became the first player to score a goal for Tsholotsho FC in the Premiership as the debutants stunned hosts Harare City at Rufaro stadium Friday afternoon.

Coming to the capital as unknown boys from the rural, Tsholotsho did not allow an inferiority complex deter them from getting a win in their first match in the elite league and against the city boys.

The side was promoted from the Zifa Southern Region Division and are the first club from a rural set-up in the modern Premiership to play in the top-flight. St Pauls Musami from Murewa once played in the top league before Independence in 1980.

Coming into the match as virtual underdogs, Tsholotsho were content on plugging their goal and as Harare City fluffed a number of chances along the way, the visitors grew more in confidence.

Giant Harare City striker Francesco Zekumbawire became the first player to earn a yellow card in the 2015 season when he fouled the visitor’s eccentric goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang in the 44th minute as the Sunshine City boys blew a chance.

After the break, Harare City threatened to attack again but an error in judgment from skipper David Kutyauripo saw Gorogodyo finishing off a fine move from Kriens Chitiyo to beat a drawn out Tafadzwa Dube in the 80th minute.

Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro was naturally disappointed with the defeat to the debutants but remained positive that they learnt their lesson, albeit the hard way.

“We failed to impose ourselves on our opponents and they grew in confidence and got the much-needed goal which was a sucker punch.

“There were signs of desperation in our team and we deviated from our game plan after the goal. It’s early but I foresee us improving in the next matches as the season progress,” said Mangwiro.

Harare City will face Chicken Inn in Bulawayo next weekend while Tsholotsho face Highlanders in a potential thriller.

Before the match, Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe said he had told his players to enjoy their first match of the Premiership, since they had nothing to lose.

“I had the confidence that the boys could play but it was their first time. They have been playing together for a long time and football is the same. The message I told them was it does not matter whether it’s the Premiership or Division One or whom we are playing.

“We went there and expressed ourselves because we were the underdogs so we took it from there and the plan helped us,” said Sweswe.

Teams

Harare City

Tafadzwa Dube, David Kutyauripo, Arnold Chivheya, Crispen Dickson , Tendai Samanja, Nathan Ziwini (Arifanidka 74th min) Martin Vengesayi, Talent Chawapiwa, Honey Chimutimunzveve, Francisco Zekumbawire (W. Manondo 44th min)

Tsholotsho :Mariyoni Chang, Maclive Phiri, Ricky Bota, Thando Ncube, N. Ncube, William Stima (Donald Dzvinyai 68min), Ocient Ncube, Kriens Chitiyo, Simba Gorogodyo (Buthelezwe Ncube 88th min), Nixon Gama, Kudzanai Machazane.