By McGeorge Mbare
VHEMBE STARS ACADEMY new signing Benedict Sithole did not wait long to announce his home-coming taking the leading in handing Army side Tongogara their first defeat at Dulivhadzimu Stadium in more than a decade.
Sithole rewarded interim coach Paul “Kabila” Mugabiri a joyous victory on his first match as head gaffer.
This Central Region Soccer League Division One fixture was easily one of he best games seen in Beitbridge recently as Sithole even had the pleasure to tap the ball several times drawing rings around the opposition as he stamped his authority.
Even after scoring, he would run deep into midfield to add weight to his team and labour to the opposition as Vhembe Stars Academy secured its 2-0 victory.
In the 20th minute Sithole broke the deadlock with a clean header and the end of a free-kick from Moris Toyito Musamba, on their debut match for the Greens.
In the 34th minute, Davies Nyamukondiwa fired in a wonderful rebound to double the lead for Vhembe Stars Academy after a brilliant set-piece strike by captain Tawanda Chikudza was denied by goalkeeper Brian Makoni.
The Greens went into halftime leading 2-0.
In the second half, Tongogara made substitutions, bringing in former Dulibadzimu United striker Evidence Chiraswa for Beitbridge born Gabriel Sithole and Wayne Mpande for Paul Ngwenya.
The substitutes were no match for the red hot Vhembe who targeted every attempt.
The hosts defence marshalled by Kolia Mbedzi and new signing Takunda Madzwimbo, known as Captain Maswibi did not have a plate for the visitors on their menu.
Vhembe Stars Academy also made substitutions to protect their lead, with Benedict Sithole coming off for Marshal Nhira and Jayden Matende for Archie Bhebhe.
The hosts held their nerve and defended their lead until the end of the game to collect maximum points.
In an interview with Ziyah News Network, Vhembe Stars Academy interim coach Mugabiri said he was happy with the boys’ performance and pleased with his new signings who have beefed up the squad.
“I’m happy with the results and this is our stepping stone. I’m also pleased with our new signings who have done wonderfully to integrate into our system,” Mugabiri said.
Tongogara coach Freddie Friday Mudado praised his opponents, saying that they are a good team, especially with their new signings.
“They are a strong team. They are good at keeping possession and you could see with their new signings that the team has quality. Overall we played better than them. We created chances and failed to convert maybe triple the number of chances they created,” Mudado said.
Vhembe Stars Academy now sit 13th with 16 points after 18 matches.