Nitazie FC and One Step FC Play Out Goalless Draw at Rimuka

By Nitazie Fc Media 

Nitazie Fc (0) 0

One Step Fc (0) 0

 

Nitazie FC and One Step FC treated fans to an entertaining Mashonaland West Division 2B West encounter in a packed Rimuka Stadium on Sunday, but neither side could find the net as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

 

It was a game of near misses, last-ditch defending and end-to-end action that had the crowd on their feet, and when the centre referee blew for full time, supporters were left asking for more football. Despite the lack of goals, both teams walked away with a point and plenty of positives from what many in the stands called one of the best matches in Division 2 this season.

 

The match kicked off at a lively tempo, with both teams showing intent from the first whistle. Nitazie FC started brightly in front of their home fans and dominated possession in the opening exchanges. The midfield trio led by Munashe Mudena had brilliant touches and kept feeding the strikeforce of Tinashe Marufu and later substitute Russel Fumbe, but they ran into a wall.

 

One Step FC weathered the early pressure and gradually grew into the contest. They looked dangerous going forward through Brendo Tayero, Tinotenda Matsika and Blessed Kazai, who all had good runs and tested Nitazie on the break. However, they found the Nitazie backline in outstanding form. Nickson Konde, Man of the Match Tatenda Chamunorwa, Chengetai Tirimboyi and Norman Chikumbirike were at their best, throwing their bodies on the line to keep a clean sheet. That defensive record now stands at just 1 goal conceded in 5 games for Nitazie. This is ‘the passing boys’ third draw in a row and the defense is now concedered as the best defense so far.

 

The game opened up, around the 25th minute, chances began to come at both ends. The hosts came closest in the first half when Marufu could not meet a looping cross from the right, only to see his shot drift just wide of the post with the goalkeeper beaten.

 

One Step replied in style before halftime. A quick counter saw Matsika drive inside and unleash a low shot that forced a diving save from the Nitazie keeper. The rebound fell kindly and was hacked clear before Kazai could pounce. That sequence summed up the first 45 minutes: good build-up, brave defending, and a final touch missing.

 

The second half delivered even more drama. Both coaches made attacking changes and the game became more open. Nitazie pushed fullbacks high and created two good opportunities, but One Step Captain Nyasha Kamambo marshaled his backline superbly and protected his keeper all afternoon. At the other end, One Step’s midfielders found space and tested Nitazie with shots from the edge of the box, but accuracy was lacking.

 

Defensive discipline was the headline, but it never felt dull. Tackles were crisp, transitions were quick, and both goalkeepers were called into action late on to preserve the clean sheets. Fans roared every block and every save, and the noise levels rose in the final 10 minutes as both teams pushed for a winner. In the end, the referee’s final whistle came as a surprise to many in the stands who were urging for a few more minutes.

 

Tactically, it was a battle of organization versus ambition. Nitazie controlled the game through possession and creativity from Mudena, while One Step were happy to absorb and hit on the counter through Tayero, Matsika and Kazai. Neither approach won out.

 

Speaking to the media after the match, Nitazie FC assistant coach Fanuel Chogari said the team did enough to deserve more. “We created enough to win the game. Defensively we were solid and the boys worked hard for each other, but in the final third we need to be more clinical. We will go back and work on our finishing,” Chogari said.

Members of the One Step FC technical bench declined to speak to the media following the match.

 

A Nitazie fan said: “That was proper football. We didn’t get a goal but the boys gave everything. Chamunorwa was a beast at the back.”

 

A One Step supporter added: “I’m proud of the team. Kamambo led from the front and we matched them toe to toe. We go again next week.”