adminFrom Ray Bande in MUTARE
Buffaloes …………………………….. (0) 2
Black Rhinos …………………………(1) 2
HARARE army side Black Rhinos secured a vital away point, thanks to this stalemate against their Mutare military counterparts Buffaloes in an entertaining Castle Lager Premiership soccer encounter played before a nearly empty Sakubva stadium yesterday.
The match started off with both sides exchanging raids although a spirited Rhinos enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession and created more scoring opportunities.
With only 12 minutes into the match, Chauya Chipembere almost took the lead when Milton Kurewa fired home after getting to the end of a scintillating move involving man-of-the-match Stephen Matsangaise and Douglas Mbewe.
However, Kerewa was adjudged off-side. The home team also had their moments and could have drawn first blood when lanky Prosper Matizadzo headed across the face of goal but a wasteful Kastigu Juwakinyu, who was rightly positioned near the goal line, dilly-dallied as he failed to tap the ball home.
Nonetheless, the visitors took the lead in the 41st minutes when Matizanadzo handled the ball in the box and Harare referee Nomore Matemera, who somehow frustrated the home team with a number of questionable decisions all afternoon, pointed to the spot.
And up stepped Rhinos captain Wilson Chakanyuka who made no mistake as he sent Buffaloes’ goalkeeper Itayi Chiwara the wrong way. The home team came back after the breather with more verve and restored parity in the 47th minute when captain Jacob Muzokomba roasted defender Obey Gada on the edge of the box before sending a hard and low shot past a sprawling Samuel Mafukidze, much to the delight of the paltry crowd in attendance.
The major talking point of the encounter then came in the 59th minute when young Jeffrey Takunda send the crowd into delirium as he propelled Buffaloes into the lead with a powerful long range shot that meandered past a cluster of defenders as it found its way into the net.
Struck with tremendous power and precision, Takunda’s long-range shot could compete well for the leagues’ goal of the season as Rhinos could hardly lay the blame on anyone for this fantastic goal.
With both skill and speed, the slippery Matsangaise stunningly waltzed past two defenders — Liberty Chakoroma and Takunda — and passed the ball to second half substitute Fradreck Marowa, who did justice to Matsangaise’s effort as he tapped the ball home from close range in the 73rd minute to equalise for the visitors.
Buffaloes coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere was happy with the improvement of his team’s performance.
“I am happy with the performance of the team. The boys showed signs of improvement. It is better that we got a point because at this time of the season, each and every team wants to get as many points as possible,” he said.
His opposite number, Jostein Mambo- Mthuthu, also praised his team for managing to come from behind to secure a draw.
Online Reporter