Blanket Mine finally delivers in unfamiliar territory

GWERU – After a disastrous start to his career as a coach in the Ruvimbo Funeral Central Region
Soccer League, Max Thula’’ Ruza led Blanket Mine to their biggest victory so far this season after
posting an emphatic 3-0 away victory at Loss Control in Zvishavane.
The victory catapulted the Gwanda-based side to ninth position on the Ruvimbo Funeral Central
Region Soccer League log table.
Since taking over at Blanket Mine, Ruza has struggled to grind results raising speculation that he
could be relieved of his duties.
Last weekends results in Zvishavane breathed life into the gold miners’ campaign while also giving
the former Shabanie Mine midfielder hope for an extended stay at Gwandas sole representatives in
the second-tier league.
Log leaders Telone maintained their dominance with an emphatic 5-0 home victory over visiting
Amazon at Ascot Stadium.
Outstanding for the telecommunications side were Collins Chidomaya and Blessing Sibanda who all
got on the scoresheet.
The victory came as a huge relief for the Wi-Fi Boys who lost 1-0 to Dulibadzimu United in their last
league match.
Second-placed Tongogaras match against Midlands State University at MSU Campus grounds was
washed away after heavy downpours forced the postponement of the crunch tie.
Ironically the match had been scheduled to be played in Gweru but the heavy rains affected Senga
and surrounding areas while the match involving Telone at Ascot Stadium, about 10km away was not
affected.
At the time of going to print ZIFA had re-scheduled a mid-week fixture.
The postponement however did not affect the army side on the log table as they maintained their
second position.
Tongogara coach Calvin Maphosa said the postponement gives them extra preparation for a clean
straight win.
This gives us extra time to prepare for us to collect three points, which will be a step towards
promotion.
I will not call it a misfortune after spending resources coming for the game but rather a blessing in
disguise that will enable us to take the three points, Maphosa said.
Third-placed ZPC Munyati failed to collect maximum points in Zvishavane after being held to a 1-1
draw at Maglas Stadium.
The Rutherford Matondo-coached side had been grinding important results in past matches which
helped them climb up the ladder.

In other matches played across the region former Premier League side Chapungu bombarded CM
Academy 3-0 in their own backyard in Beitbridge while a derby match between Bishopstone and
Dulibadzimu United ended in a stalemate.
Kwekwe United emerged 2-1 victors over a spirited FC Platinum Under 19 after an entertaining
match at Ziscosteel Sports Club in Redcliff.