Fredrick Moyo
Masvingo United impressively humbled newly promoted Buhera-based side Nzuma bars FC in an Eastern Region Division 1 soccer match at Mucheke Stadium on February 13 with 3 goals to nil.
A brace in either half by midfielder Washington ‘Tutu’ Ncube and a spot kick by captain Admire ‘Dhumbe’ Banda were enough to seal the victory for Una Una.
The home side had survived an early scare from the visiting team only to be rescued by the cross bar.
Attacking midfielder Ncube thrust the home team ahead with a beautiful tap in into the top corner of the net late in the first half.
Una Una was awarded a penalty after Nzuma defender was penalised for pulling down his opponent in the 18 area and Dhumbe did not disappoint.
The win saw Masvingo United move up a step on the log standings to fifth place with 10 points from 5 games and another in hand.
From the five games, Una Una secured three wins, a draw and one lose.
Masvingo United Coach Faustino ‘Heydays’ Mugeji praised his charges for collecting maximum points and urged them to remain focused.
“I am really happy that the boys played well and happy with the result that we got today especially coming from a defeat. We managed to rectify our mistakes that affected us in the previous encounter.
“Our focus now shifts to our next game and I urge our supporters to continue supporting us, they should keep coming in numbers to motivate their team,” said Mugeji.
He went on to promise to make sure that Una Una returns to the premier league and bring back the glory days to Mucheke stadium.
“The future is bright for us. I am promising to bring back the glory days at Mucheke stadium but we cannot achieve this alone without supporters. They need to rally behind us while and avoid violence when the team is losing,” Mugeji added.
Nzuma Bars FC Head Coach Allan Gwangwara was pleased with the way his team performed as they are new in the league and have just played a few games.
“We really had a good game. The match was perfect and good for us though we lost the game but we are on the right path. I am also proud of the young stars that I have in the team and they really played well today. We just need to rectify our mistakes,” said Gwangwara.
In other games played across the region, log leaders Greenfuel FC ran riot when they thumped newly promoted Zaka Academy FC by 8 goals to nil. Second placed Ruwa Progroup FC kept pressure mounting on the log leaders by defeating Pro Melfor 1 nil at home.
Manica Diamond Juniors FC and Buffaloes FC shared the spoils in a one all draw while FC Wangu Mazodze recorded their second win in the league when they defeated JM Busha 54 FC by 3 goal to 1 at Mucheke stadium on February 12.
Chiredzi Stars defeated struggling Lowveld United who are yet to secure a win in the league by a goal to nil while Mutare City Rovers FC and Grayham played to a goalless draw.
Surrey FC which played its first league game over the weekend defeated hosts Renco Mine FC by 2 goals to nil.
ERSL Fixture 6 Results
MASVINGO UNITED FC 3 0 NZUMA BAR FC, FC WANGU MAZODZE 3 1 JM BUSHA 54 FC, LOWVELD UNITED FC 0 1 CHIREDZI STARS FC, GREENFUEL FC 8 0 ZAKA ACADEMY FC, RENCO MINE FC 0 2 SURREY FC, RUWA PROGROUP FC 1 0 PRO MELFORT FC, MANICA DIAMONDS JUNIORS FC 1 1 BUFFALOES FC, GRAYHAM FC 0 0 MUTARE CITY ROVERS FC
