By McGeorge Mbare
Dulibadzimu United (1) 2. Tongogara 0
FINALLY, Dulibadzimu United broke the jinx!
THE boys in red cast away the demon and deservedly beat their boogey team which had never lost against them in Dulivhadzimo Stadium where Tongogara walked away empty handed Sunday.
And faithful supporters loved every minute.
United delivered one of their best performances of the season under Rutherford Matondo, winning 2-0 in an exciting Sunday.
Matchday 23 clash of the Central Region Soccer League Division One in the border town will be a day to remember for a long time.
The home side started on the front foot and dominated the first half, with Tongogara only threatening early on.
In the 5th minute, the visitors’ Mupande delivered a brilliant set piece assist but Irvine Njelele was flagged offside before he could pull the trigger.
Dulibadzimu responded minutes later when Llyod Madini lined up a free kick, but his effort drifted inches over the crossbar.
On the 13th minute, former Dulibadzimu man Evidence Chiraswa then tried his luck from range for the visitors, but his shot went over the crossbar.
Chiraswa created another chance on the 23rd minute with a long range shot, but it also sailed over.
Dulis breakthrough came in the 29th minute.
Matambo stepped up and curled in a brilliant free kick that left Tongogara goalkeeper Ability Moyo rooted to the spot as Dulibadzimu took a 1-0 lead.
Tongogara tried to find a quick reply through Mupande’ s corner, but the Dulibadzimu defense stood firm.
Hardlife Ndou was a constant threat, terrorising the visitors’ backline, only to be denied by a sharp save from Moyo.
Just before halftime, Mayibongwe Sibanda ’s dangerous free kick was also pushed away by Moyo’s diving save.
Dulibadzimu went into the break deservedly ahead by a goal to nil.
Dulibadzimu came back from halftime with the same energy .
Five minutes after the restart, Dulibadzimu United forward Wilson Moyo was denied by another good stop from Tongogara ‘s goalkeeper Moyo.
On 51 minutes, Chiraswa tried to dribble his way through the Dulibadzimu defense but was crowded out.
The home side put the game to bed in the 57th minute when “Mr” Ndou delivered a pinpoint cross and Reece Mabidi met it with a diving header to make it 2-0.
Ndou’s move was from the archives when he did a marvelous double legged stop and dash sidestepping his marker who only realised when he was long gone.
He drilled a whistling shot to the head of Mabidi whose head is goal-friendly of late.
But that match will not be complete without mentioning the Mayibongwe “Bongo” and Denford’s engine room.
Bongo, easiky the man of the match exhibited maturity, endurance and the calmness of a doctor as he operated his midfield.
With Denford allowing him to run forth, Bongo drew rings around the soldiers and made them look unarmed as he tore them with deft passes and sheer brilliance written all over his boots.
Tongogara pushed for a consolation but Manyika’s free kick was comfortably gathered by Dulibadzimu keeperPrince Mujuru now with four clean sheets.
Speaking to Ziyah News Network after the match, Matondo praised his players’ discipline and execution.
“I’m impressed by the boys. They did well and carried out the instructions I gave them. Every game is important and we aim higher,” Matondo said.
The victory keeps Dulibadzimu United pushing up the table and moving away from the relegation zone.