Mukula Young Santos and Mukula Jamaican Stars shared the glory in their MMK Administrators League match when they played to a 1-1 draw at Mukula on Saturday.
It took Santos only six minutes to realize that it was not their day. Their fast forward, Remember Mandaha, received a neat pass from Joshua Netshilindi at the edge of the box. Mandaha unleashed a half volley and suffered the pain of watching the ball go astray.
As if that was not enough to upset the fans, Joshua Netshilindi committed a blunder a few moments later. He forced his way through the defence of Jamaican Stars and shot wide from the 20-meter area.
To prove that the Stars were comfortable with a draw, they played defensive football for the better part of the game and relied on counter-attacks.
Young Santos failed to convert even one of the numerous chances they created in the first half. They strengthened their midfield by introducing Jacob Ramudzuli for Michael Mutshutshu three minutes into the last half.
Jamaican Stars took the lead in the 64th minute. Martin Mutavhatsindi was brought down within the penalty box. That prompted the referee, Mr Robert Magavha, to award a penalty to Stars. Shadrack Munyai, the team's captain, made no mistake from the white spot.
Jamaican Stars committed suicide by abandoning their positions and packing themselves at the back to protect their goal. Santos pushed the whole team to the front and defended with only one player.
Pressure continued to mount on the Stars' defence. A defender of Stars, Michael Rababo, headed the ball back into his own net in a bid to clear, causing an own goal in the 80thminute.
Jamaican Stars started to play their normal attacking football after the Santos goal, but it was already too late for them to think about the winning goal.