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Ray Bande in Mutare
Buffaloes 3-0 Whawha
MUTARE outfit Buffaloes eased their relegation woes when they turned on the power to beat ailing Whawha in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Sakubva yesterday.
Buffaloes started on the offensive when they created a number of clear-cut scoring chances but somehow their strikers lacked precision in front of goal, with an out of sorts Vincent Makaha being the main culprit.
The soldiers have been struggling for consistency but yesterday they got it right with a goal each by left back Farai Banda, and strikers Makaha and Lloyd Katongomara guaranteeing them the points.
The visitors also had a fair share of scoring opportunities and could have drawn first blood 21 minutes into the match but their top man Albert Matewu unexpectedly put his effort wide of target with only the goalkeeper to beat.
However, pencil slim leftback Banda propelled the home team into the lead four minutes before the break when he converted from the spot after Harare referee Pedzisayi Chadya awarded a penalty following Whawha centreback Jimmy Kondo’s clumsy challenge on Makaha.
Jittery Buffaloes defender Kudzanai “Ibudu” Mangondo almost gifted the visitors a priceless equaliser when he needlessly held on to the ball in the box and lost possession.
Once again Whawha forward Matewu did the unthinkable as he directed his effort wide off target.
The Mutare soldiers doubled their lead when unmarked Makaha, in his only meaningful contribution before he was pulled out, got to the end of a fine cross from Jacob Muzokomba and duly placed the ball in the back of the net, leaving Whawha goalkeeper Polite Sibanda well beaten.
As the match progressed tempers also flared and referee Chadya sent Whawha coach Lloyd “Samaita” Mutasa to the terraces in the 77th minute for dissent.
Buffaloes then put the match beyond the reach of their opponents two minutes into added time when speedy striker Katongomara’s intelligent heeler from close range off Kudzai Mwaramba’s free kick, fooled Sibanda in goals for the visitors.
Elated Buffaloes coach Joseph “Shaba” Takaringofa said his team did not play well but still managed to get the much needed three points.
“I think we didn’t play well but at the end of the day there’s no bad win. The three points, at times, is all that we’ve to be happy about.
“We didn’t have some of our regulars but I’m happy that those that were given the chance to play did well to give the team maximum points,” said Takaringofa.
An emotional Mutasa, who initially told reporters that he had no comment to make, later loosened up and diplomatically blamed the match officials for his team’s defeat.
Typical of Mutasa whenever he feels hard done by referees, he said: “I’ll not complain about things that I don’t have control over. I’ve seen people being summoned for comments made about referees and I’ll not risk being summoned too. It was there for everyone to see. What transpired in the first half and even in the second half, it was all clear for everyone to see.’
Meanwhile, basement outfit Dongo Sawmill suffered yet another defeat at home at the hands of Harare City at Vengere.
City took the lead in the sixth minute through Dickson Crispen before speedy striker Martin Vengesayi doubled the Sunshine Boys’ advantage in the 25th minute.
The Sunshine Boys then sealed the game in the 75th minute through William Manondo.
Teams
Buffaloes: B Mwandimutsira; K Mwaramba; F Banda; L Chakoroma; K Mangondo; S Nkata (R Mwenga 57th minute); J Takunda; K Katongomara; V Makaha; A Dzumbunu (B Mushunje 67th minute); J Muzokomba:
Whawha: P Sibanda; B Chidzero; G Kwaramba; B Chikwekwete; J Kondo; S Nhamo; R Useni (K Bhuka 46thminute); G Madamombe (O Lunga 70th minute); K Saunyama; A Matebvu; S Zimova (M Nyakabangwe 72nd minute)
Online Reporter