By Kuchineyi Lewis
TelOne FC 1–0 Bikita Minerals
Ascot Stadium, Gweru – TelOne FC edged past a resilient Bikita Minerals side with a last-gasp penalty, sealing a dramatic 1-0 victory in a closely contested affair dominated for large periods by the visitors’ relentless pressing.
The match began with Bikita Minerals on the front foot, pressing high and unsettling the TelOne defence.
Early attempts by Leroy Murape and Tawanda Macheke tested the backline, but Bikita Mineral’s goalkeeper, Temera Taona, remained alert. Bikita, in turn, squandered a free kick from 30 yards, blazing it over the bar.
Bikita Minerals slowly grew into the game and almost struck first through Musariranwa Tadiwanashe, who was caught off-guard by a well-weighted cross.
Telone through Milton Chimedza and Jerry Ruzive also came close in a spell that saw both teams trade chances, with goalkeepers Chilenga and Taona making key saves to keep the score level.
The most clear-cut opportunity of the first half fell to Lee Manyuchi, who failed to convert a one-on-one against Chilenga. Despite numerous chances on both ends, the game remained goalless at the break.
In the second half, Bikita Minerals maintained their intensity, pressing high and dictating the tempo. TelOne were forced into several mistakes at the back, and Blessing Kagudu’s free kick required a sharp save from Chilenga in the 55th minute. Substitutions followed for both sides as they sought to find a breakthrough.
Despite Bikita’s dominance in pressing and closing spaces, TelOne kept probing. The match seemed destined for a draw until deep into stoppage time, when referee awarded TelOne a penalty for a foul on Washington Navaya. The decision sparked a three-minute protest from Bikita players, who felt hard done by.
Navaya kept his cool and slotted home the 96th-minute spot-kick, sealing the win for TelOne.
Speaking at the post-match interviews, TelOne FC Head Coach, Hebert Marowa expressed his joy with his team’s performance.
“I’m very, very happy. Coming from three consecutive draws, I’m happy with the response from the boys.
“We did very well in the first half. We could have buried the game then when we got two clear chances but failed to score and gave them time to come back.
“Luckily, we got a winner. I’m very happy with the team’s progress,” he said.
Wilson Mutekede expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance generally but was however disappointed with how the game was handled by the officials.
“I think football-wise, we did what a football team should do—we created several scoring opportunities we failed to convert.
“But in the second half, the control of the game got out of hand.
“I’m not naive; I know what I saw. Officials at this level should do better. What happened today is not what elite match officiating should look like,” said a visibly disappointed Mutekede.
The result leaves TelOne celebrating a vital win and on number 5 on the log table, while Bikita Minerals are left ruing missed chances and a refereeing decision that overshadowed a solid performance at the bottom half of the table.
