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By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma
An exciting match between youthful sides, Cuthbert Malajila (CUMA) Academy FC and Ngezi Platinum Under 19 FC ended in a one-all stalemate as the home team came from behind to share the spoils.
The fast-paced derby lived to its billing with both teams capsizing their opponents early.
It was the platinum miners who found a better rhythm in the first half. Left-winger Tendai Matindife caused anxious moments for the home outfit with his dribbling wizardry on his operating zone. He created a number of chances that were fluffed by his fellow forward brigade.
Aaron ‘Kante’ Dzanyai, who played a blinder, was a thorn in the defence marshalled by hardworking Alfred Mawuti. The visitors’ efforts were duly rewarded in stoppage time when Tinotenda Musariranwa struck a swelter to send the teams into half time with Ngezi Platinum leading by that solitary goal.
The first half belonged to Ngezi, summoning Godknows Gurure on several occasions to make critical saves.
The second term was a different affair. Veteran CUMA coach Gipta Raiva must have done an incisive dress room talk. The game changed complexion, seeing CUMA creeping back into rhythm and the opponents losing touch. Defensive stalwarts Godfrey Ngorima and Tinotenda Matsika bolstered their roles with aplomb.
The tantalizing trio of Kudakwashe Muzira, Eddie Chidavaenzi, and Peter Mukuzunga played some purposeful football that perforated the Ngezi Platinum U19 defence regularly. The Cuthbert Malajila owned outfit heaved relief when they were awarded a penalty in the 56th minute. Goalminder Gurure rose to the occasion to cooly slot a grounder that almost kissed Prince Mujuru’s right boot between the sticks for NPU19.
Kifton Kadurira was cautious with words: “We are coming out of the shell now. We should be registering better results in our next matches. On how we lost control of the match, it happens in football. You can experience different plays in the two halves. Remember we’re a development side for the senior team. Players graduate from here to the seniors. That is the nature of this project. At the moment, we have a player who’s been promoted. We’re getting a striker from Hurungwe,” commented the shy gaffer post-match.
His counterpart said that it was a fair result considering it was a derby.
“Yeah my guys played well. I cannot complain much. Let me say it’s a fair result for such a derby. The players know each other. They have played together before.”
Asked if officials who occasionally bark instructions at the same time do not confuse players, the burly built Raiva responded: “Someone else on the bench may have something to tell the players. I let them do. l have no qualms with that.”