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The Premiership returnees won 2-1 against Shabanie Mine at Sakubva a fortnight ago before they dismissed Bulawayo side Chicken Inn 1-0 away at Luveve Stadium last week.
Albeit performing above average while playing away from home, the Saul Chaminuka-coached side had a poor home record after losing 3-1 to Monomotapa in the season opening encounter then drew one-all against Highlanders and later losing 2-0 to Dynamos all at home.
However, in yesterday’s exhilarating encounter against the Mighty Bulls, Buffaloes assumed the driving seat from the onset and were literally camped in their opponents’ half for the greater part of the afternoon.
Stocky Marlvin Dumbura could have propelled the Mutare-based soldiers into the lead in the eighth minute when he got to the end of a beautiful cross from captain Dananai Chinowawa but the Buffaloes striker lacked precision and put his effort wide of target.
However, five minutes later forceful Dumbura once again almost put his name onto the scoresheet when he cleverly turned and shot at goal but Mighty Bulls defender Godfrey Moyo clearly handled the ball while in the box in a desperate attempt to parry the ball to safety resulting in referee Brighton Chimene duly pointing to the spot.
Veteran defender Chinowawa made no mistake as he sent Mighty Bulls’ goalie Marlon Jani in the wrong direction to hand the Mutare side a well deserved lead.
In the entire 90 minutes, Motor Action rarely ventured upfront and their only meaningful chance came in the 20th minute when Norman Maroto released a blistering shot from close range but Hopeful Bere was equal to the task as he comfortably kept his team in the lead with a fine save.
In a post-match interview, Buffaloes FC coach Chaminuka, who was evidently over the moon because of his teams’ positive result, praised his players for playing according to instructions. “I think we deserved to win this match. My players were attacking from the onset of the match and that is exactly what we told them prior to today’s encounter,” said Chaminuka.
His Motor Action counterpart, Joey Antipas, blamed the bumpy pitch at Sakubva and the referee for his team’s loss.
Teams:
Buffaloes: H Bere, D Chinowawa, K Mwaramba, S Nkata (P Alfasi 64th minute), T Mapara (K Zhokinyu 63rd minute), N Musvipa, G Majoni, M Waerera, P Matizanadzo, M Dumbura, L Katongomara (P Bhamusi 77th minute):
Motor Action: M Jani, G Moyo, D Mukandi, G Phiri (I Madziva 73rd minute), B Chimwamuchere, M Kadzola, I Lawe, J Jam, I Masame, Y Ebabali (M Ncube 79th minute), N Maroto (P Kabwe 73rd minute).
Online Reporter