Luphahla disappointed as Eagles drop points against Harare City

HARARE – Golden Eagles coach Joe Luphahla was left disappointed after his team twice surrendered the lead to draw 2-2 against Harare City Cubs in an entertaining Ruyamuro Northern Region Soccer League match at Motor Action Sports Club on Sunday.

The result saw title chasing Golden Eagles drop to third position on goal difference, following Simba Bhora’s 3-1 win away to CUMA Academy at Rimuka stadium. Both Eagles and Simba Bhora are now on 27 points, 3 points behind log leaders Herentals U20.

“Disappointing for us, we came here to get the three points but that’s the nature of football…We brought this team back into the game.

“Unfortunately the boys didn’t bring it on in the game today,” Luphahla.

“We have said to the boys that when we draw, it’s like a loss. But having said that, we are not losing hope. We just need to work on the negatives to build on the next match.

“We are not worried much about the result because we are not halfway through the season so many clubs are going to drop points. We are still in it, the title race is thill open.”

Eagles were first to settle getting more of the exchanges and drew first blood through Tatenda Hapazari who finished off a wonderful cross from Trevor Bhunu on the right. With the momentum on their side, Eagles could have added another goal but their strikers lacked composure in front of goal.

Harare City Cubs grew in confidence as the match progressed and were given a lifeline after Eagles defender Nigel Gandari handled inside the box.

Marlon Maziriri took the responsibility and scored past Lloyd Majarira who had guessed the right direction but could not save the ball.

Tapiwa Mudehwe could have given Harare City Cubs the lead moments later but his long range free kick was pushed out for a corner kick by Majarira.

Eagles restored the lead in the second half after Harare City Cubs goalkeeper fumbled a corner kick from Kelvin Dube into his own net.

The goal didn’t dampen the City Cubs players as they threw caution to the wind and started probing their opponent with more numbers. They were reward when a long range strike from Charles Moffat beat Majarira after the ball took an award bounce.

Harare City Cubs coach Kelvin Togarasei felt his charges should have won the match.

“We wanted a win, unfortunately our goalkeeper made a school boy blunder. Such is football but our main ain is to develop the players so that they graduate into the season tea,” Togarasei.

At Rimuka stadium, it was baptism of fire for CUMA Academy as their home coming show was dampened by Simba Bhora who bounced back to winning ways with veteran defender Reuben Machaya opening the scoring six minutes into the match before Tinashe Balakasi got his 13th goal of the season doubling the lead ten minutes later.

Constantine Tinapi killed the game as a contest with the third goal just after the half hour mark.

Denzel Phiri got the consolation for CUMA Academy who were welcomed at Rimuka stadium by a bumper crowd that packed the stadium to the rafters.

Golden Valley continued with their resurgence beating PAM FC 1-0 while Chinhoyi Stars drew 1-1 against Come Again. Karoi United and Ngezi Platinum Stars played out to a goalless draw.