Bulawayo Warriors …………… (0) 1
Nkayi United ……………………….. 0
A last-minute sucker punch by Ronald Chikandawaya was all Bulawayo Warriors needed to avenge the Munhumutapa Cup defeat to Nkayi United last Sunday, as they had the last laugh at Chiefs Village this afternoon.
With both teams seemingly settling for a draw, a free kick was flighted from a set piece. Goalkeeper Denzel Marime stepped out of his line to collect the ball, and with his call, the Nkayi defenders paved the way. However, the ball never got to Marime’s hands, as Chikandawaya ghosted in and flicked it past the goalkeeper at the stroke of full-time to break Nkayi United’s hearts.
The painful part for Nkayi was the fact that the team had dominated the last quarter of the match, particularly with the introduction of Karel Jawa, who was getting the better of hardworking Warriors right back Bret Ndlovu.
Jawa’s industry, however, did not yield the desired results despite winning four corner kicks in the period. The Warriors defence, marshalled by Shain Ngwenya and Herbert Dick Jnr, was resolute, providing good cover for Rayn Mhlanga, the Warriors goalie.
Nkayi suffered an early setback after Percy Maphosa (pictured) was stretched off with a torn muscle after just three minutes. Maphosa had been a vital cog, operating in a reinvented role as a left back in the two consecutive victories posted by the team.
The technical team had to readjust the settings at the back, with Vincent Moyo moved to left back and Tinashe Luka introduced as the substitute to take over the right back position.
Irvine Munkombwe was outstanding in midfield as he continues to rediscover the form that he displayed in assisting Arenel Movers to gain promotion to the Premiership in 2023.
The first half was a balanced affair, with former Highlanders midfielder Brian Ndlovu getting the best opportunity of the day – his effort inside the box, one-on-one against Marime, saw the goalkeeper come out on top to tip over his effort after 32 minutes of action.
Nkayi were the better side in the second half, as fatigue was seemingly creeping in for Warriors. But against the run of play, Nkosilathi Nkomo’s side struck to silence the Nkayi United fans.
Nkayi lost further ground in the title chase. Had they won, they would have closed the gap between them and table toppers Hwange and Talen Vision, who played out a 1–1 stalemate at White City this afternoon at the same time.
Nkayi United Media
