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Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) 5
Tripple B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
BUFFALOES punished the shambolic defending of relegation-haunted Tripple B to record their biggest victory in the Castle Lager Premiership this season at Sakubva yesterday.
It means that the two league matches between the two teams have now produced 12 goals inside two weeks after Tripple B won the contest at home 4-2.
Buffaloes opened the floodgates just two minutes into the match when hattrick hero Jacob Muzokomba tapped home in a goalmouth melee.
Two minutes later, Muzokomba headed home a beauty off Simbarashe Nyauzima’s cross, to complete his brace.
To their credit, Tripple B continued to fight and they were rewarded when Harare referee, Pedzisayi Chadya, pointed to the spot after Buffaloes goalkeeper Blessing Mandimutsira hacked down a goal-bound Lloyd Chiwaridzo.
Up stepped Aleck Marime who made no mistake.
But with Wonder Sithole impressive all afternoon, and at the heart of the best moves by the home side, Buffaloes were always in control and the former Dynamos man restored their two-goal lead in the 33rd minute.
Having combined well with former How Mine striker Steven “Dealer” Sibanda, Sithole pressured the visitors to concede a free-kick and the midfielder took responsibility and fired the ball home with aplomb.
Buffaloes’ Admire “Yaya” Dzumbunu, who was used as an attacking left winger in yesterday’s match, punished the Tripple B defence for sleeping on duty in the 68th minute when his long range effort, from about 30 metres found its target.
Muzokomba then completed his hattrick in the 77th minute, tapping past the ‘keeper on the second attempt after his initial effort had been punched back into play.
Buffaloes coach Timothy “Sicho” Masachi who has now seen his side score eight goals in two league matches at Sakubva after they scored three against Dynamos, praised his charges.
“They beat us 4-2 when we went to Beitbridge a fortnight ago and we were really geared to humiliate them this time around. I am also happy that my players did exactly what we told them from the onset,” said Masachi.
Tripple B coach Peter Manoti conceded that his team did not play to expectations.
“I think Buffaloes got two early goals and my players panicked. We just didn’t defend well and paid for it. When they scored the first two early goals, the damage was already done,” he said.
Meanwhile, Motor Action sank deeper into trouble yesterday as they clocked 720 minutes of football action without a win following a third straight defeat to the same opponents yesterday.
Last Sunday, they lost 0-1 in the BancABC Sup8r at Gibo and had gone 1-2 to Monoz at Rufaro in a league match.
It is not looking good at all for the Mighty Bulls who last won a match on 17 May when they beat Shabanie 2-1 in the capital.
It was a perfect triple victory for Monoz as goals from striker Zvikomborero Biseki in the 15th minute and Clive Boroma in the 55th minute sealed the deal for them.
Mighty Bulls coach, Joey Antipas, said this was turning into a nightmare but he remained optimistic that they can still pull themselves out from the mud.
“We are proving to be Monomotapa customers. We did that to them a couple of years ago and maybe they are revenging now. All we have to do is keep on trying.
“This season is not good for us. We lack quality players and depth.
“We will see what happens in the transfer window. We trying to bring some youngsters just like Monomotapa, they have youngsters and are doing well,” said Antipas.
Monoz coach Biggie Zuze, who was back on the bench after missing the last two matches attending a Caf course, hailed his team’s performance.
“It was a good match, we dominated both halves and l am happy with the way we played. We are creating chances but I’m not happy with the way we taking them.
“We have to work hard. But it is a sign of great improvement from the youngsters,” said Zuze.
Warriors midfielder, Ronald Chitiyo, was again a marvel to watch as he made some good runs combining well with his teammates and the visitors could have won by a bigger margin.
Monoz midfielder, Meson Nelson, could have found the target just after five minutes, only for his effort to be denied by woodwork.
And in the 12th minute Motor Action’s Innocent Kutsanzira watched in agony as his header missed the target.
However, it was Monoz who were celebrating on the quarter hour mark when Bizeki’s header beat veteran Mighty Bulls goalie Marlon Jani.
Monoz midfielder Boroma then scored the insurance goal after he was set up by forward Agrippa Murimba.
Murimba has been on target in the past two matches against Motor Action.
Log Standing
P W D L F A Pts
1 Harare Cit 16 9 4 3 23 15 31
2 HIGHLANDERS 16 9 3 4 26 14 30
3 Chicken Inn 16 9 3 4 22 15 30
4 Dynamos 16 7 7 2 23 9 28
5 CAPS United 16 8 3 5 21 15 27
6 FC Platinum 16 7 5 4 20 15 26
7 How Mine 16 7 3 6 16 19 24
8 Buffaloes 16 7 1 8 28 29 22
9 Monomotapa 16 6 4 6 20 24 22
10 Triangle 16 5 4 7 16 18 19
11 Black Mambas 16 7 1 8 15 20 19
12 Shabanie Mine 16 5 3 8 16 23 18
13 Hwange 16 4 5 7 14 16 17
14 Black Rhinos 16 4 4 8 17 25 16
15 Triple B 16 4 2 10 16 26 14
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