Buffaloes beat Mambas

yesterday.
The Mutare army outfit will now square up against CAPS United in the last eight of the country’s richest football tournament.
The Green Machine dismissed last year’s finalists Motor Action by a solitary goal at Trojan on Saturday.
The visitors drew first blood just four minutes into the match when impressive forward, Last Chibwiro, beat Buffaloes goalminder Hope Bere from close range after a neat exchange of passes involving Nicholas Alifandika and the scorer.
However, the hosts restored parity in the 68th minutes when Matizanadzo got to the end of a fine cross from the imposing Roy “Apama” Mwenga.
Mwenga, who was on top of his game against Gunners at Larfage in a rescheduled midweek league fixture last Tuesday, was outstanding in the middle of the park yesterday.
Matizanadzo then sent about 2 000 fans, who watched the match, into delirium when he fired home the winner with just two minutes left on the clock. Buffaloes’ coach, Saul Chaminuka, praised his charges.
“It is unfortunate that we conceded a silly goal early in the match but I am happy my players managed to come back and win the match.
“They played according to instructions and it worked well for us.
“I am looking forward to the next round of matches in this Cup and I hope we will get it right against CAPS United,” said Chaminuka.
Mambas’ coach, John Ncube, said his team paid dearly for missing numerous chances that came their way.
“I think we failed to convert numerous chances that came our way during the course of the match.
“We played well and we could have easily won this match had we managed to show a little bit more precision in front of goal.
“We also lacked in terms of marking man to man. I think we gave them a lot of space, especially in the second half, and that was our downfall.
“Anyway. that is what happens in a game of football,” he said.
Mbada Diamonds mine manager, Tendai Kadyamusuma, said the landmark tournament fitted well with the vision of the diamond mining firm.
“We as Mbada Diamonds continue living up to our pledge to harness diamonds for the people.
“I think everyone realised that this time the tournament is bigger and better than it was in its inaugural edition last year.
“Our vision is to uplift the communities in Zimbabwe through sport and we will continue doing our best to achieve that.
“I am particularly happy that this match went on well and the better team of the day won,” Kadyamusuma said.
Teams:
Buffaloes: H Bere, D Chinowawa, K Thembani, M Waerera, T Ndlovu, S Muchabaya, P Matizanadzo, R Mwenga, M Mageja, P Bhamisi, P Thembani(N Musvipa 76th min):
Black Mambas: C Benjanim, S Mutenheri, C Kasimero, N Alfandika, T Chiunungo, P Khumazo, B Nyahunzvi, L Chibwiro, P Muswere, P Mateyanga, I Nyoni