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Luke Masomere

From Ray Bande in Mutare
Buffaloes 2-2 Shabanie Mine
BUFFALOES came from behind twice to force a draw against Shabanie Mine at Sakubva yesterday.In what will go down as one of the fastest goals of the season, the Mutare side goalkeeper Blessing Mandimutsira parried the ball into his net as he failed to deal with Shabanie Mine striker Carlos Mesi’s header with only one minute and 30 seconds after kick off.

The home team failed to make good use of numerous clear-cut scoring chances that came their way like in the 58th minute when impressive defensive linkman Tafadzwa Mombeshora drilled a beautiful pass to ageing Shepherd Nkata who then blasted his effort wide off the target from close range.

Workaholic Mombeshora, who has now earned the admiration and respect of many soccer fans in the eastern border city, was instrumental both in defence and attack but somehow a blunt strikeforce let the home team down.

However, Luke Masomere’s men levelled terms in the 70th minute when young Takunda Jeffrey rose from the bench to score a beauty with a volley that beat jittery Shabanie goalkeeper Victor Twaliki all systems out.

Six minutes later, the visitors were back in the lead after veteran defender Zvenyika Makonese headed home off a corner.

Buffaloes then restored parity with only three minutes of regulation time remaining. Jacob Muzokomba tapped home from close range as he took advantage of a lapse in concentration by Shabanie Mine defenders.

After the match, Masomere said it was a bad day in the office for his entire squad.

“It was indeed a bad day for us. We gave away two silly goals. In the first one it was the goalkeeper and the second one it was just a free header. We could have done better than this. However, the good thing is that we managed to avoid defeat,” he said.

His opposite number at Shabanie Mine John Phiri said loss of concentration by his players denied his side the full set of points.

“I think we could have won this match but somehow we lost concentration and allowed our opponents to come from behind twice. I think the draw also has something to do with rookies in our midfield. If we had experience we could have managed to create more scoring chances,” he said.

Teams

Buffaloes: B. Mwandimutsira; K. Thembani; S. Nkata; P. Matizanadzo; P. Chandisaita; T. Mombeshora; R. Mwenga (T. Mkahera 80th minute); K. Zhuwakinyu (P. Thembani 78th minute); L. Katongomara (T. Jefrey 67th minute); M. Nyamukasa; J. Muzokomba.

Shabanie Mine: V. Twaliki; S. Muchabaiwa; H. Masumbuko; R. Mware; Z. Makonese; D. Sibanda; M. Dikinya; T. Allan (W. Kamudyarirwa 60th minute); X. Ncube; G. Murwira; C. Mesi.