Hurricanes Academy Edge Kadoma City in Thrilling Encounter
By Azriel Chimeno
Ingezi Hurricanes Academy (0) 1
Kadoma City FC (0)0
The Mashonaland West Division 2B West league witnessed a thrilling encounter between Ingezi Hurricanes Academy and Kadoma City FC, played at Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma on Sunday. Ingezi Hurricanes Academy emerged victorious, edging Kadoma City FC 1-0 in a closely contested match. The win brings Ingezi Hurricanes Academy closer to the league leaders, Barcelona Kadoma, and sets up a thrilling title race in the final stretch of the season.
The highly expected local derby between the two teams was a game that meant everything to both teams, a clash of titans where maximum points, bragging rights, and supremacy were all on the line, and in the end, Ingezi Hurricanes Academy had the last laugh, emerging victorious thanks to a stunning goal from veteran striker Macgiven “Bere” Aliya.
The Super Sunday match was rated as a game of the season as the local derby lived to its billing and the whole game kept fans whistling and on the edge of their seat. Ingezi Hurricanes Academy backed by the brass band and super girls who were cheering them from the start, made the game easy for Ingezi Hurricanes Academy.
The Stadium was packed with spectators and the match was entertaining as action swung from one end to another. Ingezi Hurricanes Academy dominated the first half, creating several scoring opportunities. In the 10th minute, Ingezi Hurricanes Academy had a golden chance to score when slippery winger Abel Chapasuka found himself alone with Kadoma City goalkeeper Panashe Seke well beaten . However, Chapasuka’s mis-curling effort meant the score remained goalless. Despite the miss, Ingezi Hurricanes Academy continued to pressure Kadoma City’s defense. In 36′ Terrence Mukuradare could have scored by his effort went over the bar with City keeper almost beaten.
On the other hand, Kadoma City FC had a glorious chances to score but one glorious chance was missed by City’s Tashinga Machacha 45′ could not convert it. Ingezi Hurricanes Academy defense marshaled by captain Dickson Dick coordinated well, throttling the City strike force of Kevin Chivizhe and Brendon Taero who could not play their usual game. The return of talented midfielder Garnet “Zondo” Meke in the first eleven, made the home team’s midfield stead as he controlled and dictated the pace of the game and in the end , he was voted man of the match.
The second half of the match between Ingezi Hurricanes Academy and Kadoma City FC saw both teams coming out strongly, continuing from where they left off in the first half, and showcasing their skills and talents as they battled for supremacy on the pitch, with each side creating scoring opportunities and pushing for a winning goal.
As the fans thought the game was heading for a stalemate, veteran striker Macgiven “Bere” Aliya had other ideas. It was in the 86th minute when Mcgiven Aliya used his experience and scored a beautiful goal past Kadoma City goalkeeper to secure an important win for Hurricanes who were coming from last week’s disappointing draw at Golden Valley.
The goal proved to be the difference-maker, handing Ingezi Hurricanes Academy a 1-0 win and three crucial points in their bid for the league title. This result sees Ingezi Hurricanes Academy on 66 points, just two points behind league leaders Barcelona Kadoma. The win is a significant boost for Ingezi Hurricanes Academy, who will be looking to continue their good form in the remaining matches of the season.
The match officials led by Centre referee George Huni handled the match exceptionally well until he blew the final whistle, ensuring a smooth and fair game alongside his assistants Munyaradzi Chasvinura and female 2nd assistant referee Pauline Makomani.
Soon after the game, Ingezi Hurricanes Academy Coach Takunda Magaya praised his team’s performance, saying, “We are delighted with the win, and I’m proud of the boys for executing the game plan to perfection. We knew it was going to be a tough match, but the players showed great character and determination. We took our chances, and Mcgiven Aliya’s goal was the difference-maker,” he said.
Mcgiven Aliya, the goal scorer, expressed his happiness, saying, “I’m happy to have scored the only goal that separated the teams. I gave thanks to the Almighty God for the day. It was a tough match, but we worked hard and got the three points,” said Aliya.
Kadoma City Spokesperson Habibu Moffat accepted the defeat, saying, “We can’t change the result now, so we will just have to move forward and we congratulate Ingezi Hurricanes Academy on their win, we were prepared, but it just didn’t go our way. We will regroup and come back stronger,” said Habibu
The win sets up a thrilling title race in the final stretch of the season, with Ingezi Hurricanes Academy and Barcelona Kadoma neck and neck. Kadoma City FC will need to regroup and come back stronger if they are to have any chance of winning the title. The remaining matches of the season are shaping up to be exciting, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
Current top 3 log standing
– Barcelona Kadoma: 68 points
– Ingezi Hurricanes Academy: 66 points
– Kadoma City FC: 62 points
