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Buffaloes …………………………………..……… (1) 1
How Mine…………………………………….…… (1) 1
BUFFALOES and How Mine shared the spoils when the two teams settled for a draw in an entertaining Castle Lager Premiership encounter at Sakubva yesterday. Both sides exchanged raids from the first whistle and the visitors could have been rewarded for their efforts in the 14th minute when exciting Sizalobuhle Dube delivered a fine cross that veteran midfielder Menard Mupera failed to connect from close range and directed his header wide of target.
As the match progressed, How Mine’s Brighton Dube made high school blunders and almost drew the ire of a few How Mine sympathisers in the stadium as he repeatedly failed to execute a simple throw in thereby unnecessarily giving possession to the Mutare army side.
However, after 22 minutes of play, Buffaloes’ Steven “Dealer” Sibanda propelled his team into the lead when he got to the end of fine exchange of passes between Jacob Muzokomba and Wonder Sithole.
The impressive Sithole squared the ball for Sibanda and the later kept his cool as he controlled and placed home from close range to bring his tally to 10 goals so far this season.
How Mine kept on probing in search of an equaliser and in the 35th minute, Mernard Mupera took full advantage of a lapse in concentration by a Buffaloes defender and slotted home a hard and low shot from the edge of the box.
After the break, both teams continued exchanging raids in search of maximum points and created numerous scoring chances but failed to convert owing to lack of precision in front of goal.
Buffaloes coach Timothy Masachi said his team could have easily won but the experienced lot within the How Mine rank and file made life difficult for his Mutare soldiers.
Teams
Buffaloes: B Mandimutsira; T Ndlovu; S Nkata; B Mukwena; R Mwenga (E Dzumbunu 66th minute); S Nyauzima; P Chandisaita; W Sithole; J Muzokomba; S Sibanda; P Thembani (L Katongomara 66th minute):
How Mine: E Mazarura; B Dube; T Majo; H Dick; G Banda; X Moyo; M Mupera; N Mukumbi; S Sithole (Q Mpala 73rd minute); S Dube (Q Sibanda 73rd minute); O Mpofu:
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