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Lovemore Dube in Bulawayo
Tsholotsho ……………………..(0)1

Flame Lily ……………………..(0)1

A share of the spoils was perhaps the fairest result for the Premiership debutants as alarm bells rung louder at White City Stadium yesterday.

Only an improved second half of the league can save both teams from relegation. Yesterday they produced a good display of passing football, punctuated by switching play to both flanks as they tried to play football the traditional way of wings and crosses into the box.

The two teams, however, lacked decisiveness in the final third of the pitch resulting in both goalkeepers experiencing little action all afternoon.

Virimai Mukudo put the visitors ahead in the 55th minute before super substitute Lynnoth Chikuhwa equalised two minutes later from a goalmouth melee.

The two teams matched each other pound for pound and were let down by impotent strikers who lacked the tact and zeal to finish off in the few created opportunities.

It was a good game that was well handled by Mlindeli Ndebele, Brighton Nyika, Peter Simtende and Hardly Ndazi, the fourth official.

With so much play concentrated in midfield where there were some exciting duels, it took 14 minutes for either side’s goalkeeper to be tested.

Kudzanai Machazane had his shot from outside the box saved on a second attempt by Flame Lily goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba. Machazane had been fed by Kriess Chitiyo from deep in midfield.

Chitiyo had his tame effort at goal easily dealt with by the goalie on 29 minutes.

Motion Muponda, who had a good first half for the visitors, created Flame Lily’s best scoring chance in the 35th minute. After getting the better of Nkosilathi Moyo, Muponda sent a great pass onto the path of Macmillan Chigora, who did not put enough power in his effort from inside the box, allowing keeper Mariyoni Chang a clean catch.