adminBLACK Rhinos failed to make use of home advantage at Gwanzura yesterday as they slumped to their third straight defeat against 10-man How Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
Former Rhinos midfielder Menard Mupera scored against his former paymasters from the penalty spot on 44 minutes before the army side levelled through Jameson Mukombwe soon after the restart.
But Nesbert Saruchera’s men were left to rue a missed penalty by defender Brighton Chandisaita towards the end of the first half as How Mine’s striker Simbarashe Sithole stole the winner in the 56th minute.
The visitors had been reduced to 10 men when midfielder Warren Dube was given marching orders by referee Batsirayi Muchenje five minutes after the restart for a second bookable offence. Dube had earlier been cautioned for a rough tackle he made on Wilson Chakanyuka 22 minutes into the game.
Rhinos coach Saruchera was disappointed by the loss, which came hardly three days after the heavy 4-1 defeat by fellow soldiers Buffaloes.
Before travelling to Buffaloes, Rhinos had lost 3-1 to Highlanders in their previous outing and Saruchera is increasingly getting worried by the poor run.
Rhinos had a bright start to the season but they have now tumbled to the bottom of the log table with six points from eight games because of loss of form.
“Losing three matches in a row is disappointing but we would need to soldier on,” said Saruchera.
“I think the boys played well but it’s the same old story that is letting us down. We are failing to convert our chances into goals. Maybe luck is not on our side but we need to start winning games. Hopefully we will get it right in our next game against Black Mambas.”
Rhinos had the better of the exchanges in the opening half with Marshal Mudehwe exuding lots of skill and energy on the right wing but their strikeforce was blunt.
They, however, found themselves on the back foot on the 44th minute when former Dynamos and FC Platinum player Khumbulani Banda made a brilliant run into the box and squared the ball to Dube in a crowded area. Dube responded with a quick rising shot that hit Chandisaita’s open palms. Mupera converted from the resultant spot kick.
Rhinos were given a lifeline to level the scoreline soon afterwards when Hebert Dick also handled the ball in a desperate attempt to clear Martin Mine’s goal-bound shot.
However, Chandisaita could not redeem himself as he sent his effort high and wide from the spot.
Sithole then killed off the game when he slid home the winner from a high ball by Mupera following a shoddy defensive work by the hosts.
How Mine coach Philani Mabhena was thrilled with the win and said it was crucial to survive relegation.
“For a team to survive relegation we would need to win games now. Playing away from home is always difficult but you have to contain whatever comes up against you. I am proud of the way these guys played because they fought hard despite going one man down,” said Mabhena.
leeroy