Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
MANICA Diamonds stayed in the picture to challenge for the championship after dismissing ZPC Kariba 2-0 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Gibbo Stadium on Saturday.
The Gem Boys took a half-time lead through a Jeffrey Takunda strike before in-form seasoned midfielder Ralph Kawondera doubled their advantage 10 minutes from time.
Coach Jairos Tapera’s charges remain in third position behind Highlanders and Ngezi Platinum Stars, with 42 points from 23 matches.
They trail the Mhondoro-based pacesetters by three points.
The diamond miners’ impressive form has seen them win three in five games, while drawing one and losing as many.
Although Tapera remains coy about their chances of a title tilt, his team stays on the hunt to clinch the grand prize since earning promotion into the Premiership in 2018.
Despite playing away from their favourite hunting ground – Sakubva Stadium – Manica Diamonds have put up good displays both at their adopted home Gibbo as well as on the road.
Their fine run in the current campaign is built on a solid rearguard and marauding forward line as they boast good numbers in both defence and attack.
Meanwhile, Chisumbanje outfit GreenFuel were pegged back in their bid to secure a second successive victory after suffering a 3-0 reverse away to log leaders Ngezi Platinum Stars.
The ethanol producers stay in eight position with 29 points from 23 games.
