By McGeorge Mbare
Vhembe Stars Academy (0) 1 Shabani 1
CENTRAL Region Division One debutants Vhembe Stars Academy drew 1-1 with Shabanie Mine on Match Day 16 of the Central Region Soccer League Division One at Ronnie’s Arena on Saturday, 4 July 2026.
Following their 1-1 draw against Gwanda Pirates in the midweek fixtures, Vhembe Stars Academy dropped two more points against Shabanie Mine, recording back to back 1-1 draws.
Shabanie Mine’s Tavonga Shoko broke the deadlock with a brilliant strike in the 3rd minute after kick-off, giving the Chinda Heights boys an early lead and recording his 5th goal of the season.
Vhembe Stars Academy went into the halftime break trailing 1-0.
Pressure mounted on Vhembe Stars Academy as they struggled to find an equaliser early. They made changes on the 69th minute with Thembalethu Bajila coming in for Nomatter Masitera and Brilliant Mawedza replacing Promise Mushayabasa.
Vhembe Stars Academy were patient enough to defend Shabanie’s pressure, which was driven by the Chinda Heights boys, Tavonga Shoko and Leon Chisunga.
Vhembe Stars Academy’s substitutes changed the game completely from the 69th minute until the final whistle was blown.
Vhembe Stars Academy found the back of the net in 90th minute added time through Bajila’s tap-in, following individual brilliance from Davies Nyamukondiwa who made it easy for Bajila to score his first goal of the season in an emotional and dramatic finish.
After Bajila found the back of the net in the dying minutes of the game, the entire Shabanie bench erupted in chaos as they disputed the goal. However, the referee pointed to the center line, citing no foul play.
Speaking after the match, Coach Blessing Madombi praised his team for their determination and overall performance.
“We are now consistent. We need to be clinical in front of goal but overall we are very happy with the performance. We were just unfortunate with that first-half mistake that led us to concede an early goal and put pressure on us,” Madombi said.
The 1-1 draw saw Vhembe Stars Academy move to 13 points after 16 matches, recording their 7th draw of the season, while Shabanie recorded their 6th draw of the season.
A 1-1 draw against Vhembe Stars Academy, left Shabanie Mine in 8th position with 21 points after 16 matches.