Oscar Rusenga in Triangle and Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
Triangle United FC 2-1 Shabanie Mine FC
FC Platinum 3-0 ChiredziAN early goal by Richard Kawondera and a wonder strike by Zimbabwe youth international Praise Tonha were enough to send Shabanie Mine down and ensure the hosts survived in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Gibbo yesterday.

The result meant Triangle have survived the chop and finished ninth behind How Mine on goal difference while Shabanie finished in 14th position.

“We have achieved our objective and I give all credit to technical staff, supporters, players and our sponsors for the job well done.
“I think we can build from the wonderful squad going forward. It’s good to have a team that  collects points in every game for five consecutive matches”, said Triangle technical advisor Kelvin Kaindu.

Triangle took the lead as early as the seventh minute through their top goal scorer Kawondera who finished with a classy acrobatic kick after a chip from Felix Kuswatuka.

Shabanie’s only chance in the first half fell to Allan Tavarwisa who packed a shot that was well saved by Ronald Mudimu in the 44th minute. Triangle   midfield general Kamhapa replied instantly but saw his effort coming back off the post a minute later.

The asbestos miners came back a better side in the second half and Rowan Nenzou equalised with a well taken shot from 18 yards out giving Mudimu no chance in the 46th minute.

Triangle coach Biggie Zuze made a tactical change bringing in Hardlife Mavundi for Kuswatuka in the 73rd minute and that proved to be the game changer as Mavundi combined well will fellow substitute Tatenda Tsuro.

The former Masvingo United marksman won a free-kick just outside the box and Tonha stepped up to send his effort to the top right corner leaving Shabanie Mine goalkeeper London Zulu stranded in the 77th minute and that goal proved to be the difference between two teams.

Tonha almost doubled with another ferocious effort from just outside the box after another perfectly weighed assist from Mavundi but Zulu was up to the task parrying the ball out for a corner in the 85th minute.

Zuze was happy with the result although he pointed out his disappointment with his strikers’ failure to convert chances. “We knew the importance of this game and we prepared well, we created a lot of chances but converting had been a major problem for us this season.

“We wanted a top eight finish but we are still happy that we managed to build a side that won silverware just after two seasons in the top flight”, said Zuze.

His opposite number Jairos Tapera was frustrated mainly because of how things have been run at Shabanie over the past few weeks.
“I have never been in a situation where I had to beg players to fulfill a fixture, these players have never kicked the ball for the past two weeks and that was a big setback for me”, said Tapera.

Meanwhile, FC Platinum continued their fine run under Norman Mapeza when they hammered already relegated Chiredzi at Mandava to seal a fourth-place Castle Lager Premiership finish yesterday.

Tarisai Rukanda just on the stroke of half time, Tatenda Dzumbunu  in the 64th minute and  former Golden Boot winner Nelson Maziwisa after 77 minutes found the goals that gave FC Platinum full points.

The miners were a marvel to watch with their passing game and could have scored more goals had they not missed a glut of chances.

After missing several chances for much of the first half, the hosts got their breakthrough when Soccer Star of the Year finalist Thabani Kamusoko flighted a cross that was met with a firm header by Rukanda that beat Stephen Chimusoro.

Walter Musona who was a thorn in the flesh for the Chiredzi defence then exchanged passes with Dzumbunu just outside the box. He then sliced a through pass to the young midfielder who responded with a cracker that shook the roof of the nets with Chimusoro well beaten.

Maziwisa then remembered how to score when he was fed by Katsvairo and his first time shot flew past the Chiredzi goalkeeper.

The goal showed many that he has not yet lost touch and if he continues to get more training under Mapeza he is likely to regain his form.

“It was a good game of football and we have scored more than half a dozen goals. Chiredzi were fighting for nothing,” said Mapeza.

Mapeza has a had good record with FC Platinum since taking over from Lloyd Mutasa losing only once to Highlanders since taking over in August.

For Chiredzi coach Gishon Ntini, it is the club’s future that worries him most. “We are in a financial crisis and I do not even know whether we will be playing soccer next season. I hope something will be organised otherwise there will be no more Chiredzi,”

“I would like to applaud the match officials for a good show and to congratulate Platinum for winning,” said Ntini.

You Might Also Like

Comments