Sports Reporter
Gwanda Pirates and Grain Tigers played out a goalless draw in a ZIFA Central Region Division 1 Soccer League match at Mbizo Stadium today (Saturday), with both coaches commending the match officials for their handling of the encounter.
The closely contested match produced chances for both teams, but neither side was able to find the breakthrough.
After the match, Gwanda Pirates coach Johanes Ngodzo praised the officiating team led by referee Mzondani Chipanga, who was assisted by Luckymore Chuma and Shadreck Vengesai.
“I think referees are very important. We always tell our players to respect the referee because they enforce the laws of the game. I think the officiating was good and they applied the laws of the game,” said Ngodzo.
Grain Tigers coach Kudzanayi Mhandire also commended the referee’s consistency.
“Refereeing is something you cannot control because sometimes decisions go your way and sometimes they don’t. I think he was consistent in his decisions, so we cannot complain about the officiating,” said Mhandire.
Veteran football administrator Alex Homela also expressed satisfaction with the officials’ performance.
“The referee was up to standard for the entire 90 minutes and applied the laws of the game fairly,” said Homela.
Chipanga was promoted to Class One refereeing this season after officiating in Division Two last year and has handled several Central Region Soccer League fixtures.
On the match itself, Ngodzo said his side created enough opportunities to win but failed to convert them.
“I think we created a lot of chances. After the opening minutes we controlled the game, but the problem was that we missed many scoring opportunities,” he said.
Mhandire said he was satisfied with the point despite his side missing five regular starters.
“We are happy with the point because we had a depleted squad. The boys worked very hard and created chances, but we lacked the finishing touch,” he said.
The result leaves both teams with a point as the Central Region Soccer League season continues.
