Hardrock’s Nyukai’s Goal Sinks Waverly Queens

Waverly Queens (0) (0)
Hardrock Queens (1)(1)

By Lloyd Mwale in Kadoma

​A tense, high-stakes clash in the Central Region Women’s football league saw Hardrock claim the top spot with a narrow 1-0 victory over rivals Waverly Queens courtesy of a Natasha Nyukai’s strike.
​ A harmless-looking cross from the right wing caused panic in the Waverly Queens penalty area. A critical breakdown in communication and a defensive mix-up allowed Natasha Nyukai to pounce, slotting the ball home past Ayanda Tembo,in goals for Waverly Queens for the match’s solitary goal that separated the girls.
Waverly Queens mounted a fierce comeback attempt in the second half creating several scoring opportunities ,but regular goal getter,Tabeth Zombindo and other’s efforts were being thwarted by Hardrock Queens defence and a failure to capitalize on key chances.
Led by the stellar leadership of twin central defenders Brett Mahara and Cynthia Kalilombe,right back,Lucia Ganga,left back,Diana Mapanzure and defensive midfielders,Eunice Kasererah the Hardrock Queens defense stood resolute under second-half pressure, extinguishing any hopes of a Waverly equalizer.
​ In a tightly contested match between league powerhouses, the ultimate difference boiled down to capitalizing on errors. Hardrock Queens punished a single defensive lapse, while Waverly Queens paid the price for their lack of clinical finishing.
In a post match interview Waverly Queens assistant coach,Rumbidzai Yohane was not hard done by the slender defeat
“The match was very tough,even though we lost by a solitary goal through a defensive mixup, but we take some positive from the match,my charges by virtue of being very young girls played their hearts out,I would like to applaud them for the way they responded in the second half, we’re just unlucky to find an equaliser!”said Yohane.
While Yohane took some positive from her charges, Hardrock Queens coach Choice Dambuza was happy to take three points to Chahwanda Stadium.
“It was a tough match, both teams played their hearts out,both teams joint log leaders but separated by goals,so we had expected a tough match but I am happy to have collected maximum points away from Chahwanda Stadium!”said Dambuza