MWOS FC Held to Thrilling Draw at Gibbo as Title Race Heats Up

Gibbo Stadium, Triangle – Martin Mapisa’s long-awaited return between the sticks wasn’t enough to inspire MWOS FC to all three points as The Punters were held to a pulsating 2-2 draw against a stubborn Triangle United side in a Matchday 15 Premier Soccer League cracker.

The visitors came flying out of the blocks, and their early pressure paid off in the 33rd minute when Nigel Matinha showed razor-sharp instincts to volley home from close range, beating the keeper at his near post. The away end erupted as Lloyd Mutasa’s men took a deserved lead.

But just as MWOS looked to take their advantage into the break, Triangle struck back in first-half stoppage time, capitalising on a defensive lapse to restore parity right on the stroke of halftime.

The Punters doubled their advantage in the early stages of the second half. In the 47th minute, Mathew Murambiwa’s fierce strike rattled the crossbar and clearly crossed the line before being cleared, with the referee immediately pointing to the centre circle. The goal gave the Punters more edge to try and go and score another one.

Now leading by 2 goals to 1, Mutasa rolled the dice with a double substitution, throwing on Clive Kwangari and Wilson Mensah to inject fresh legs into the midfield battle. However, it was the hosts who struck next, levelling matters again in the 62nd minute after a well-worked move sliced open the Punters’ backline.

With the game hanging in the balance, Mutasa turned to his bench once more, introducing Jeremiah Makangira and Salif Cheya in search of a winner. But despite a last-ditch interception from the ever-reliable Tafadzwa Nyabunze to deny Triangle a late winner, MWOS couldn’t find the decisive blow in a frantic finale.

The result leaves MWOS FC still perched at the summit of the PSL table, but their lead over second-placed Simba Bhora has been trimmed to just two points in what’s shaping up to be a nail-biting title race.

A fair result on the balance of play, but Mutasa will know his side missed a chance to put real daylight between themselves and the chasing pack. With a quick turnaround before their next fixture, the Punters must regroup fast as the pressure mounts in this thrilling title chase.

MWOS FC return to the fortress of MWOS Ngoni Stadium for a midweek showdown against CAPS United – a game that is oozing with excitement.