adminin a Castle Lager Premier Soccer tie at Maglas yesterday.
Buffaloes woke up from the dead after the host had taken a 2-0 lead but two costly mistakes by the asbestos miners’ defenders gifted the soldiers with two goals that saw them sharing the spoils in a match they failed to climb up the ladder choosing to disappoint their die hard fans.
Shabanie Mine opened the score sheet through Farai Musunye.
Erea Phiri threaded a pass to Raymond Sibanda on the right and the striker who has been given a new role on the left back sent an inviting cross from the left which an alert Mususunye met with flashing header past Tapiwa Mafunga in the 38th minute.
Shabanie started the match on a very high note but many a time they failed to get the numerous chances that came their way.
Mususunye could have opened the score sheet as early as the second minute when he got to the end of a Sibanda pass but with Mafunga at his mercy he shot wide.
Gilford Mchiwa who had a subdued game was fed in the box by Francis Kanda but he directed his effort wide in the 18th minute.
Shabanie who were firing from all cylinders got another chance in the 41st minute.
Substitute Tarisai Rukanda was denied a goal in the 60th minute when he left his marker for dead on the right and released a screamer that Mafunga blocked for a corner but the hosts failed to utilise it.
Muchineripi Wayerera handled in the box under pressure from Tarisai Rukanda in the 60th minute and Gwanda referee Nkosana Nduna who had a brilliant afternoon rightfully pointed to the spot.
Nelson Maziwisa took the responsibility and sent Mafunga the wrong way as he scored his 16th goal of the season.
Maziwisa sent Kanda through in the 72nd minute but the striker’s effort outside the box went wide with the soldiers defence nowhere in sight and Shabanie were to pay dearly for the miss.
The soldiers then pulled one back through former Michael Mageja who punished his former paymasters.
A quick ball from goalkeeper Mafunga was controlled by Berven Chirere on the right and quickly sent a defence splitting pass to Mageja whose fist time shot beat goalkeeper Victor Twaliki all systems out in the 73rd minute.
Prosper Matizanadzo shook his head in disbelief when he beat goalkeeper Twaliki in the 81st minute only to see his effort cleared from the line by defender Rodney Mware.
The soldiers were piling pressure and had the miners back pedaling towards the dying minutes as they searched for an equaliser.
The tall Matizanadzo equalised for the visitors when he rose to head a corner kick by Kelvin Thembani in the 85th minute.
Mombeshora should however shoulder the blame for the goal as he failed to mark Matizanadzo.
Buffaloes have only lost two matches away from home to FC Platinum and Hwange and yesterday they again proved that they are true soldiers who have a heart of a lion.
Shabanie coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere was not a happy many after the match.
“It’s not bad that we drew to an equally good side but we missed numerous chances and could have won with half a dozen scores.
“It’s lucky we drew because normally if you miss chances you lose. We were punished because the first goal we left the Buffaloes striker unattended and the second goal it was the same thing. I don’t know why it happened,” Masomere said.
Buffaloes assistant coach Timothy Masachi was happy with the result.
“It was a good performance and good fighting spirit because coming from two goals down is not a joke.
“We allowed them to take control of the first half but we came back a better side in the last thirty minutes,” he said.
Teams:
Shabanie Mine: V Twaliki, P Zimunya (K Kwashi 70th), G Mchiwa (T Rukanda 56th), P Sithole, R Sibanda, F Kanda, E Phiri, R Mwale, F Musunye (N Maziwisa 56th ), S Muchabayiwa, T Mombeshora,
Buffaloes: T Mafunga, M Mageja ,P Matizanadzo, T Ndlovu, S Nkata, K Thembani (B Chirere 40th), M Wayerera, N Musvipa (P Mudawu 40th ), M Dumbura (J Takunda 63rd ),S Muchabaya, L Chakoroma.
Online Reporter