By Chimeno Azriel
Kadoma City Football Club won the derby glory with a hard fought 1-0 win over bitter rivals CUMA Academy in a Mashonaland West Division 2B match played at Rimuka Stadium last Sunday.
Elliot Ngonidzashe Muzira’s 9’-minute header proved the difference sending Yemunyanza faithful into rapture and condemning the Tigers to a narrow defeat. Despite the hype surrounding the highly anticipated local derby, the match did not live up to the expectations.
The tense encounter at Rimuka Stadium saw the Tatenda Chamunorwa Captained side claim bragging right and three crucial points. The match was characterised by intense rivalry, dogged determination and ultimately Elliot’s goal from a corner kick in the first half proved the difference.
The match began at a sluggish pace with both teams displaying cautious tactics, misplaced passes, lack of cutting edge attacking play and struggling to create a clear out opportunities and both teams struggling to create meaningful opportunities, but from a resultant corner, found Kadoma City new signing Muzira’s head to send the City fans into song and dance .
The strike sparked brief moments of intensity, but the match soon retained to its pedestrian tempo. The home team CUMA Academy failed to muster meaningful response with their attacking forays of Tinaye Kandira and Panashe Kapito consistently thwarted by City resolute defense.
The first half saw CUMA back peddling and the City strike force took advantage of pushing forward but they either shot wide or find the CUMA youthful keeper at his best. The intensity increases after the break with CUMA Academy pushing hard for the equalizer, but they either found the City resilient defence holding firm or City keeper making some crucial saves.
The win by Kadoma City FC did not change the log standings as CUMA remained in 3rd place with 32 points from 16 games and Kadoma City are sitting pretty fourth on the log with 29 points and the victory by City not only extended their unbeaten run but extended the derby wins against their rivals.
Speaking to the CUMA head Coach, he said he was not happy with the lose, but they were now focusing on their next assignment. (Herentals).
“We played well but could not capitalise and we will regroup and focus on the next match.” said Ignatius Alfonzo who was not eager to talk to the press.
Scorer of the important goal, Elliot Ngonidzashe Muzira was delighted with the results and he said he was dedicating the goal and the win to the City supporters.
“I am delighted to score the winner and the team worked so hard and this win is for the fans” said the goal scorer Ngonidzashe
Speaking soon after the game, City Captain Tatenda ‘ Sugar ‘ Chamunorwa who was over the moon after a victory, he said that they knew it was going to be a battle and the team had it all.
“We knew it would be a battle, but our team spirit shone through and we fought for every ball. We got it our all and got the reward.” said captain fantastic
Kadoma City FC team Manager Faston Maruza said their game plan worked perfectly well and they used their chances and got the all-important win.
“We knew it would be a tough match, but our game plan worked well and we nullified their threats and capitalized on our chances and we took our chances when they came and it was a well-deserved win” said Maruza
In other matches, log leaders Golden Valley continue with their winning ways after they edged Ingezi Hurricanes 2 -1 to increase their tally to 43 points and remain on top of the log four points clear of secondplaced VeniceMine FC with 2 games in hand, Venice Mine dispatched school boys Herentals 3-1, VIP Stars beat Chakari Utd 2-1 , Ingezi Utd had a walkover against Eiffel Flats and Cam n Motor also had a walkover Martin Spur.
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