Young Punters Look to Bounce Back Against Chingwere at MWOS Ngoni Stadium
MWOS FC U19 will be looking to respond to a narrow 1–0 defeat against league leaders Black Rhinos FC when they return home to face Chingwere FC in the MCM Estates Northern Region Soccer League on Sunday, 20 September.
The Matchday 32 encounter will take place at MWOS Ngoni Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00hrs.
The Young Punters were edged by Black Rhinos at One Commando Barracks on Wednesday afternoon, with a late goal deciding a closely contested encounter in which MWOS FC U19 remained competitive for long periods.
The hosts created the better opportunities during the opening stages, but goalkeeper Manomano Takunda kept the Young Punters in the contest with a series of important saves, including efforts from distance and dangerous free-kicks.
In front of him, Handirade Keith, Zhawu Leeroy and Kassim Abdulrahman worked hard to contain the Black Rhinos attack, while Giya Tinashe made an important clearance from inside the box.
MWOS FC U19 gradually grew into the game and began creating openings of their own.
Nyamhandu Dembele tested the Black Rhinos goalkeeper from distance, while a promising attacking sequence involving Dembele and Blessing Mazambani nearly produced the breakthrough.
Muza Taylor came close to connecting with Mazambani’s delivery, before the Young Punters produced their clearest opportunity of the opening half when a quick counter released Valentine Zvomuya one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
His effort was blocked, however, and Marlon Nyapfere was introduced for Zvomuya in the 39th minute.
The second half continued at a higher tempo, with both sides searching for the opening goal.
Mazambani came close with a curling effort from the left that sailed narrowly over the crossbar, while Manomano once again stood firm at the opposite end.
Taylor was forced off through injury in the 58th minute, with Walter Five replacing him.
Handirade also threatened from a set piece when his free-kick was met by a Black Rhinos defender and sent behind for a corner, with Nyapfere then getting a shot away from the resulting delivery.
The decisive moment arrived in the 83rd minute.
Pressure inside the MWOS FC U19 box resulted in a loose ball falling to a Black Rhinos attacker, who reacted quickly to convert and put the hosts 1–0 ahead.
Prosper Mawoyo and Pardon Nyandoro were introduced as the Young Punters searched for a late equaliser, but Black Rhinos held on to claim all three points.
Despite the defeat, Coach Wonder Ngoko was encouraged by his players’ display against an experienced opponent.
“Tatamba nevanhu vari experienced than us, but the boys played very well,” Ngoko said.
The result leaves MWOS FC U19 11th on the Matchday 31 standings with 42 points from 31 matches, having recorded 11 wins, nine draws and 11 defeats.
The focus now shifts to a Chingwere side that occupies third place on the current table with 49 points from 30 matches.
Chingwere have enjoyed an impressive first season in the Northern Region Soccer League after earning promotion from the Mashonaland West Division Two B League last year.
The Mhondoro-based club had actually started their campaign strongly, spending part of the opening stages at the top of the table, and have continued to remain within the promotion race.
Their most recent league outing ended in a 0–0 draw against Jumbo Giants, meaning Chingwere will also arrive at MWOS Ngoni Stadium looking to return to winning ways.
The two sides previously met on 20 May, when Chingwere secured a 1–0 victory in the reverse fixture.
Sunday therefore presents the Young Punters with an opportunity to respond to that earlier result while also recovering from Wednesday’s narrow defeat.
Playing at MWOS Ngoni Stadium, MWOS FC U19 will be hoping to turn their competitive performances into points as they enter another important stage of the Northern Region Soccer League campaign.
With Chingwere sitting third and MWOS FC U19 looking to climb from 11th, another demanding afternoon awaits the Young Punters.