The current log leaders of Stream E of the MMK Administrators League, Mpheni Home Defenders, beat Madombidzha Arsenal 2-1 at Madombidzha on Sunday.
The absence of Arsenal's playmaker, Paris Mushukwa, was evident from the onset as there was no one to capture or to distribute balls from the middle of the park to the goal poachers. Morgan Makhuvha of Defenders was reprimanded with a card for a dangerous tackle on Lloyd Davhana six minutes into the game.
Arsenal replaced Baldwin Sipheyi with Paul Ngobeni in the 15th minute. Defenders missed a fortune a few minutes later, when midfielder Rendani "Drogba" Ncube shot aimlessly from close range.
Defenders broke the deadlock in the 38th minute. Trust Tshidumo won the ball just behind the centre line and ran towards the right corner from where he dished up a square pass to the king pin, Dakalo "Dairo" Nwanamidwa. He beat the Arsenal keeper, Tshepiso Manavhela, with a ground cutter to give his side a 1-0 lead at the end of the first 45 minutes.
Arsenal later replaced Paul Ngobeni with Phumudzo Mafukata and they equalised in the 67th minute. Vhutshilo Munyai blasted in a rocket from z free kick and left the keeper of Defenders, Emmanuel Ngwana stranded.
Defenders introduced Emmanuel Mphephu and Rendani Mathvaha for Freddy Ncobo and Lufuno Dzhivhuli, respectively. Their winning goal came in the 87th minute when Rendani Ncube beat the keeper with a volley.