Eagles gunned down

Chegutu Pirates FC—-(2)2 Golden Eagles FC —-(1)1 *By

By Innocent Muchochomi in Chegutu

Golden Eagles assistant coach Phillip Sithole admitted that a slender 1-2 loss to Chegutu Pirates at Pfupajena Stadium on Saturday adversely impacted their effort to recapture the formula to climb to the top of the Northern Region Division One Soccer League table Since season onset Eagles who were tipped to be amongst teams likely to be elevated to Premier considering their financial muscle and the exciting football they showcased, conceded early first-half goals that blemished their romantic performance against a tepid Pirates As spectators were still queuing to pay for entrance, Eagles defender handled in the box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Up stepped Gift Mwinga to put Pirates ahead New acquisition Jimmy Gwara extended the lead for Pirates with a volley midway through the first half but Eagles’ Rodwell Mhlanga reduced the arrear two minutes later. Eagles piled pressure and were denied an equal share of points by the incredible Pirates goalkeeper Tendai “Gudo” Chirara at the stroke of time After the match Eagles head coach Mark Mathe looked pale and referred The Observer to his assistant Phillip Sithole for a post-match interview. Sithole confessed the defeat had compounded their heartaches “Chances for earning promotion are slipping away and today’s loss worsened everything but we will try to make sure we win our next game and regain our fighting for top table position” While the result was unpalatable for Eagles, it relieved Pirates gaffer Emmanuel “Ras Day” Gutu from the barrage of vitriolic attacks that he endured from a cluster of supporters committee members clamouring for his ousting. ” I am a happy man. We are grinding results despite our play has slumped.” “Today’s play was different from that we exhibited in the first round because our new guys are yet to integrate plus along the game we changed formations and variations,” said Gutu