By Kuchineyi Lewis
A wave of disbelief swept across Bata Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Kwekwe United succumbed to a heart-wrenching 1–0 defeat to TelOne FC, in a match marred by controversy and emotional fallout.
What should have been a moment of glory for the home side turned into agony as head coach Beknown Mlaingena watched his side fall prey to what he described as a clear refereeing injustice.
The contest had been a tense battle, evenly poised, until the dying minutes when the game spiralled into chaos.
Just before TelOne’s winning goal a minute later, Kwekwe United had a legitimate claim for a penalty that was turned down.
Mlaingena, visibly distraught during the post-match interview, minced no words in condemning the officiating, squarely laying blame on centre referee Pride Moyo.
“He was just supposed to just point to the spot.
“He [Pride Moyo] must be answerable for that. He robbed us of our win,” Mlaingena said, frustration clouding his voice.
The heartbreak deepened moments later when TelOne capitalized on the emotional disarray of Kwekwe United, slotting home the decisive goal.
Mlaingena alluded to the psychological toll the decision took on his players, hinting that the injustice had shaken their focus at a critical moment.
“Speaking of psychology, how then do you think the players are prepared for the next match?” he asked, more to himself than the press.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for a team already desperate for points. Despite the loss, Mlaingena graciously credited TelOne for their resilience, but his grief lingered in his eyes.
Across the touchline, TelOne coach Herbet Marowa acknowledged the difficulty of the match, especially given his squad’s recent injuries and suspensions.
“It was a tough game, especially coming from a disappointing game against Yadah. We got the goal a little late, but I’m happy with the three points,” he said.
Marowa’s side, plagued by absences that include six injuries and two suspensions, knew they needed to dig deep to remain in touch with the league’s log leaders.
For Kwekwe United, the focus now shifts to rebuilding shattered confidence. Mlaingena’s goal is clear: to start winning at home, to make Bata Stadium a fortress once more. But the emotional wound inflicted by today’s loss will take time to heal.
For Mlaingena and his boys, this loss will linger for longer not because they were outplayed, but because they were undone by a moment that should have gone differently, a whistle that never came.
