Buffaloes finally remember how to win

Ray Bande in MUTARE
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
BUFFALOES finally remembered how to win a match when they dismissed 10-man Chapungu in a dull Castle Lager Premiership encounter at Sakubva yesterday.
The home side dedicated their victory to club patron and 3 Brigade commander Brigadier General Eliah Bandama who is hospitalised in Harare.

Buffaloes almost took the lead in the 30th minute when a beautiful curler from a free-kick by the impressive Mike Nyamukasa was parried to safety by an alert Roy Mazingi.

The Mutare side got their first goal at the stroke of half-time when workaholic defence linkman Tafadzwa Mombeshora fired the ball home from a rebound.
The Gweru airmen almost levelled terms in the 72nd minute but substitute Gift Phiri fluffed a fine scoring chance from close range.

Farai Manase was sent off for an attempt to fool the referee to give him a penalty, his second bookable offence.
Buffaloes then put the game beyond their opponents’ reach two minutes from time when the reliable Jacob Muzokomba headed home Lloyd Katongomara’s cross.

“I am happy we managed to give Brigadeer General Bandama something to smile about,” said Buffaloes coach Luke Masomere.
“He loves football and he is the reason I am still here. I told the players before the match we have to win at all costs because we are dedicating this match for him and I am happy we did just that.

“It also has something to do with yet another bag of tricks that I opened today which I did not want to open all along. Everyone knows what we are going through here at Buffaloes.”

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino blamed the defeat on loss of concentration.
“We played well as a team, especially early in the first half, but we somehow lost concentration towards the end of the first half and we were punished for that.
“It is always difficult to play against team that has been going for weeks without a win.”

Teams
Buffaloes: B Mwandimutsira; S Nkata; M Gutu; L Chakoroma; P Matizanadzo; T Mombeshora; M Nyamukasa; R Mwenga; A Dzumbunu (P Thembani 69th min); J Muzokomba; L Katongomara (T Mkahlera 91st min):
Chapungu: R Mazingi; C Matinenga; T Munyenyeni; H Muganiwa; C Kwaramba; N Murisa; M Mavuto; C Kushaya (R Mhlanga 46th min); T Mwale (G Phiri 66th min); F Manase; C Muzive (K Makaye 46th min)