Bantu win, Rhinos draw

Bantu Rovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 3
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Seasoned striker Obadiah “Oba” Tarumbwa scored a first half brace before creating the other in the dying minutes as Bantu Rovers condemned visiting Buffaloes to a fifth consecutive defeat at Luveve yesterday. Jacob Muzokomba scored the visitors’ consolation in the 33rd minute, but Bantu Rovers striker Bukhosi Sibanda killed the game as a contest when he buried home a fine pass from a fired-up Tarumbwa seven minutes from full time.

The menacing Tarumbwa scored the first of his goals in the 22nd minute when he headed in a free kick by right back Lawson Nkomo.

He returned to haunt the soldiers eight minutes later when he rifled home from close range after some fine interplay with exciting youngster Tafadzwa Kutinyu. The result pushed Methembe Ndlovu’s boys out of the relegation zone to 12th position, overtaking Black Rhinos who were held to a goalless draw by Triangle at Rimuka.

Things are not looking good for Luke Masomere’s soldiers, who are slowly drifting towards the murky waters, as the race nears the halfway stage.

Buffaloes, who are now in 11th position, have not won a match since May 4 when they beat FC Platinum 1-0 at Sakubva and now find themselves just three points away from the red zone.

In Kadoma, a workaholic performance by visiting Triangle saw them going back to Chiredzi with a point in the bag. Triangle, who came into the match on the back of a 1-1 home draw against Highlanders, remain second from bottom despite gaining a point.

Their coach, Biggie Zuze, insists he is satisfied with what they got at Rimuka.
“A point away is always valuable in this race, especially if one considers that we have been poor on the road.
“Honestly, I am very satisfied with this point,” he said.

Black Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani felt his team were lucky to escape unscathed and commended the visitors for their “impressive” performance.

“At least we came out with a point given Triangle’s dominance and I am happy. The visitors had more zest and I should commend them for the fighting spirit they showed today,” said Tutani.

Black Rhinos’ draw and Bantu Rovers win pushed Harare City, who earned a point at stubborn Chapungu on Friday, back into the relegation puzzle.