Yadah edge Bullets, ease relegation woes

Sport
King Nadolo’s second-minute goal saw the Takaendesa Jongwe-coached side ease their relegation nerves to an extent.

Yadah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

Cranborne Bullets . . . . . . .0

YADAH eased their relegation worries following a huge win over Cranborne Bullets in the Castle Lager Premier League match played at Baobab Stadium yesterday.

They lifted themselves out of the bottom four, leaving behind the army side second from the bottom of the table.

King Nadolo’s second-minute goal saw the Takaendesa Jongwe-coached side ease their relegation nerves to an extent.

Until the 77th minute when substitute Junior Zindoga’s header was blocked back into play by goalkeeper Tatenda Makoni, Nadolo’s goal had been Yadah’s only effort on target.

Cranborne Bullets were also ineffective and did not force a single save from opposition goalkeeper Marshall Takarinda, although they hit the upright through half time substitute Yemmy Matembedze on 48th minute.

Zindoga missed two glorious chances in added on time to wrap up the match, failing to convert from one versus one against the goalkeeper, but his team didn’t mind as they managed to hold on for the three priceless points.

Victory lifted Yadah to 14th position with 24 points, one above Simba Bhora who occupy the last relegation slot.

Cranborne Bullets have 18 points, one above Black Rhinos who anchor the standings after 22 rounds of matches.

Jongwe was pleased to gain three points against their direct rivals in the relegation fight.

“It was always going to be a very difficult match because Cranborne Bullets wanted to catch up with us. Fortunately, we had our chance and we managed to score,” he said.

“The early goal unsettled them, so it gave us some breathing space. It was a tight match, but with a bit of some precision, we could have scored two or three goals, especially in the last 15 minutes.”

Cranborne Bullets coach Nesbert Saruchera admitted their chances of surviving relegation were getting slim with each passing week.

“This game was very important to us,” Saruchera said. “We really needed the three points, but unfortunately, we lost. But we will soldier on to make sure we avoid the chop.

“We can’t stop fighting. We need to continue and try to get points in our next encounter. It was not an easy match for us against a team in the relegation zone as well. We were unfortunate not to score the chances we created. It wasn’t our day.”

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