In a commanding display at the Alexandra Sports Club on 29 March 2025, Young Royals Football Club secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Irvines Football Club. The match kicked off at 1:15pm, with the home side showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defensive organisation throughout the contest.
Young Royals lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their offensive capabilities while maintaining a sturdy backline. Mcgregor Damiso took his place in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Leeroy Twala on the right, Vidal Makiwa and Jacob Kandemwa in central defence, and Farisai Chihoro on the left. The midfield trio featured Tafadzwa Manhopi on the right, Tatenda Madziva centrally, and Tafadzwa Kandiado on the left, providing both creativity and support to the front three. Up front, Batiranai Shamhu operated on the right wing, with Clemence Vela as the central striker and Tafadzwa Chibatamoto on the left flank. The substitutes for the match included Amos Nyakatsapa, Tanaka Kambirienda, Karl Nyeruke, Emmanuel Mpanje, and Leeroy Purazi.
The match began with an early corner kick taken by Leeroy Twala, setting the tone for Young Royals' attacking intent. However, Jacob Kandemwa's misplaced pass in the fifth minute briefly disrupted their rhythm, though it did not lead to any significant threat. Farisai Chihoro quickly made amends, providing a key corner kicks and crosss as early as eight minutes that once again put Irvines on the back foot.
As the first half progressed, Twala continued to be a pivotal figure, making key runs, crosses and taking corners, followed by Chihoro's contributions in the twelfth and twenty-seventh minutes, both of which created further opportunities. Despite their efforts, Tafadzwa Manhopi's attempt in the sixteenth minute went high, and an offensive mistake by Kandiado in the seventeenth minute could have opened the scoring account for the hosts.
In the nineteenth minute, Mcgregor Damiso showcased his goalkeeping skills with a crucial tip over the bar, maintaining the scoreline. The relentless pressure from Young Royals finally paid off just before half-time when Tafadzwa Manhopi unleashed a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box, finding the back of the net in the forty-third minute. This goal sent the home crowd into raptures as they headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half commenced with a yellow card shown to Manhopi for a bad tackle just after the restart. Young Royals continued to press, with Tafadzwa Chibatamoto committing a foul in the fifty-second minute, although it did not result in a penalty for Irvines. A tactical substitution in the fifty-fourth minute saw Amos Nyakatsapa replace Chibatamoto, aiming to bolster the attack.
Clemence Vela had two attempts saved in quick succession in the sixty-second and sixty-fourth minutes, demonstrating Young Royals' continued dominance. As the match approached the final quarter, Twala's key cross in the sixty-ninth minute created yet another opportunity, showcasing his influential performance.
In the seventy-fifth minute, tactical changes were made with Karl Nyeruke and Tanaka Kambirienda coming on for Batiranai Shamhu and Tafadzwa Kandiado, respectively. Despite a wide attempt from Vidal Makiwa in the seventy-ninth minute, the home side remained resolute.
The breakthrough came in the eighty-sixth minute when Karl Nyeruke scored from close range following a goalmouth scramble, assisted by Emmanuel Mpanje. With the score now at 2-0, Young Royals were in firm control and Tatenda Madziva's defensive clearance in the eighty-seventh minutes can't go unnoticed.
In the dying moments of the match, Emmanuel Mpanje sealed the victory with a third goal in the ninety-third minute, scoring from close range with his right foot. The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 3-0 win for Young Royals, who displayed a blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity throughout the encounter. Tafadzwa Manhopi's standout performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, as Young Royals celebrated a well-deserved victory in front of their home supporters.
