Blue Ribbon sink Mambas

NEWBOYS Blue Ribbon snatched a late goal to cruise to their first win of the season when they got the better of Black Mambas in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Gwanzura yesterday.
After managing a point from a 2-2 draw against fellow debutants Chicken Inn in Bulawayo last weekend, Misheck Chidzambwa’s men got it right against a Mambas side that slumped to their second defeat in as many games.
The Harare millers found the winner, four minutes from form a powerful header by former Kiglon midfielder Cabby Kamhapa.
Blue Ribbon had found a 16th minute opener through striker Daniel Kamunenga who arrived in the off-season from Monomotapa.
In fact, the Blue Ribbon opener was manufactured at Monoz and delivered at Gwanzura as Kamunenga converted a fine delivery from ex-Monomotapa defender Tapiwa Khumbuyani.
Mambas then equalised in the 55th minute when skilful midfielder Abbas Amidu converted a cross from Shingirayi Masasa.
After drawing level, Mambas briefly lifted their game and could have surged ahead had substitute Audience Rundofa made use of a point black chance.
But the seasoned striker, who has seen duty at various clubs which include Dynamos, Eagles and CAPS United, failed to use his experience once he got into a face to face situation with Blue Ribbon goalkeeper Earnmore Hamandishe who had moved off his line to narrow the angle.
It was great chance lost and as Mambas coach John “Toto” Ncube would reflect after the game, it was probably the turning point of the policemen’s game.
This is because once they survived that huge scare, Blue Ribbon, who had been put on the back foot soon after resumption, received some harsh words from their coaches Chidzambwa and his assistant Biggie Zuze and they reorganised and gradually regained control of the game.
But they wasted a number of chances that came their way until Kamhapa, unmarked on the edge of the box sent a powerful header that beat Mambas goalkeeper Didymus Chakabva and found its way into the top right hand corner of the nets.
Ncube, who saw his charges lose 2-0 to champions Motor Action in their opening game of the season, reckoned that his team had been weakened by injuries to key players like Sebastian Mutizirwa.
“I am disappointed. It is our second defeat. The problem is our team is lacking concentration during crucial stages and conceding early goals and late goals.
“Last weekend we lost in the same manner to Motor Action. We have been affected by injuries to our key players who got injured during the pre season matches and this has left us exposed.
“We hope we will start collecting points early because after fighting relegation last season we now know the importance of keeping pace with the leading pack,” said Ncube.
Chidzambwa was delighted.
“It was a tight match. As a team coming from Division One we are happy with the way we are playing and there is improvement in each game and every game,” said Chidzambwa.
The match began with the newboys controlling proceedings with former Monomotapa duo of Kumbuyani and Kamunenga on song and it was not surprising when they were duly rewarded after quarter of an hour.
Former Gunners and Lengthens striker Felix “Mbesuma” Kuswatuka also had a good afternoon and with a bit of luck could have found the target.
Just before half time Kumbuyani sent another perfect cross from the right to Kamunemnga but the lankly forward this time fluffed the chance.
Mambas then responded by launching a quick counter attack that saw former Highlanders striker Protasho Kabwe’s drive punched out for corner by Hamandishe.
Then came Mambas’ best chance to surge ahead in the 61st minute which Rundofa who came in as a substitute, wasted by shooting straight at Hamandishe with his team’s bench already up in anticipation of a goal.
In the 65th minute Blue Ribbon striker Tineyi Chitora thought he had found a goalk for his side when his header was sailing into an empty net, only for a Warumwa Warumwa defender to ghost from nowehere and clear from the line.
Teams:
Blue Ribbon: E. Hamandishe, C. Boroma, S. Choenda, C. Dickson, T. Kumbuyani, C. Kamhapa, J. Jam(I. Tinarwo 69th minute), D. Kamunenga (E. Katema 69th minute), F. Kuswatuka, T. Munetsi, T. Chitora,
Black Mambas: D. Chakabva, G. Chikweva, A. Musasa, B. Nyahunzvi, I. Nyoni, F. Ncube, S. Masasa, P. Kabwe, P. Kachirika (O. Rundofa 56th minute), L. Kaisa, A. Amidu.