Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
Bantu Rovers 1-3 Shabanie Mine
SHABANIE Mine enhanced their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League survival chances when they collected maximum points against relegation threatened Bantu Rovers who sank deep into the murky waters.
A first half brace by Wellington Taderera and a second half strike from Admire Dzumbunu powered Shabanie Mine to a victory at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Both teams went into the game on the back of impressive midweek results, with Bantu Rovers having held struggling Highlanders to a 0-0 draw while Shabanie Mine drew 1-1 against championship chasing Dynamos at Maglas.
Rovers gave 15-year-old Sibusiso Moyo a first league start after having come from the bench against Highlanders and the lad showed some fancy footwork, with huge confidence on the ball before he was substituted at the start of the second half.
The first half was an evenly balanced affair with both sides failing to create clear cut chances. Shabanie Mine opened the scoring in the 37th minute through Wellington Taderera who connected a Tinashe Mupumha cross from the right.
Taderera sealed his brace a minute before halftime, doing justice to a good through pass by Farai Mupasiri and went on to slot the ball past Bantu Rovers’ goalkeeper Wellington Muuya.
Bantu Rovers came from the break a rejuvenated side and despite ending on the losing side, they were the better team in the second half.
Attackers Nigel Papias and McCarthy Dube gave Shabanie Mine defence a torrid time.
Bantu Rovers were eventually rewarded for their improved performance in the 65th minute when veteran Tapiwa Kumbuyani headed in a Nyasha Garayi cross on the right.
After the score, Bantu Rovers pushed their men forward in search of an equaliser and were punished in the 70th minute when Dzumbunu struck following a counter attack.
Shabanie Mine head coach Takesure Chiragwi was happy with the result but said his players could have done better.
“It was important for us to get three points today but we did not play well. We will keep fighting to get out of the relegation zone and it’s encouraging to pick maximum points on the road,” Chiragwi said.
Bantu Rovers coach Methembe Ndlovu bemoaned his team’s poor finishing.
“We created a number of chances but failed to finish. We conceded all the goals against the run of play and I think the boys were sloppy at the back. Now we have to work on that going into the next game,” said Ndlovu.
Teams
Bantu Rovers: Wellington Muuya, Kudzaishe Dzingwe, Nyahwa Shadreck, Ndlovu Dumisani, Garai Nyasha, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Sibusiso Moyo (Nkosilathi Mpofu, 46th minute), Nigel Papias, McCarthy Dube (Brighton Ncube, 23rd minute), Gladman Bharibhari, Remmington Masuku
Shabanie Mine: Trevor Mavhunga, Benjamin Mukundu, Admire Dzumbunu, Nyasha Mpofu, Tinashe Mupumha, Farai Mupasiri (Wilson Mupasiri, 66th minute), William Mapfumo, Trevor Ajana (Bruno Mtingo, 73rd minute), Tafadzwa Chimoyo, Wellington Taderera — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu