adminA late penalty was all that Black Mambas needed to subdue Premiership newboys Tripple B at their favourite hunting ground Dulibadzimu yesterday.
It was Triple B’s second defeat of the season after they were beaten 2-0 by fellow debutants How Mine in their first game.
The match was played before a capacity crowd with other fans having to watch the first premiership match in the border town from roof tops.
Tshintsha Magiya as Tripple B is affectionately known by their legion of fans kicked of on a high note showing their intention to win though they were always caught on the back by the policemen.
Former Underhill striker Nicholas Alifandika, back in familiar territory, however, ensured there would be no joy for the Tripple B fans when he struck the Mambas winner a minute from time.
Alifandika scored from the spot sending Tripple B goalkeeper Donald Mutau the wrong way after one of the defenders had handled the ball under pressure.
Honey Chimutimunzeve opened the score sheet for the visitors in the 41st minute in a well orchestrated counter attack when the home team defence had gone to sleep.
Philip Makanye had a chance to level terms in the 43rd minute but his shot went wide.
Just five minutes into the second half Tripple B upped their tempo but their poor finishing let them down.
The hosts’s pressure yielded results when a Mambas defender handled inside the box and Edmore Chafungamoyo stepped up to take the penalty, sending Tonderai Mateyaunga the wrong side
Mambas were not deterred and kept asking questions of the newboys defence when Last Chabwiro, Ben Nyahunzvi and Paul Marazanye combied to force Tripple B defender to handle the ball under pressure.
Alifandika did not disappoint as he stepped up to score against some of his former teammates at Underhill FC.
Tripple B coach Friday Phiri conceded defeat.
“We performed well in open play though we need to improve on our defence and strike force. We just lost two games and I strongly believe we will overturn this in the next few games to come. Actually we will keep fighting until we get our first three points” said Phiri.
Teams:
Tripple B:
D Mutau,T Kombora,O Chove,W Chingodza, E Chifungamoyo,L Chiwaridzo, P Makanye (A Marime 70th minute),A Makiwa, I Gwandu, J Kapenya,A Kazembe.
Black Mambas:
T Mayaunga, P Muswere, T Chinungo, B Chirimanzi, N Alifandika, G Mangani (F Banda 65th minute),L Chabwiro (P Khumalo 68th minute),H Chimutimunzeve (T Rathokoane 71st minute),P Mazhanje, B Nyahunzvi,K Kapirinyu.
Online Reporter