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The exciting 19-year old left back, who turns 20 next month, found the target from the spot when he sent Warriors second choice goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, in goals for the Sunshine Boys, the wrong way.
The visitors dominated play for the greater part of the first half and were only let down by a blunt strike force that missed one chance after another.
Their prayers were almost answered in the sixth minute when speedy striker Martin Vengesai’s blistering shot from close range after a neat exchange of passes with Silas Songani slipped through the fingers of Buffaloes goalkeeper Chengetai Tandadzai and an alert Osobrne Mukuradare went for the rebound which he smartly placed in the net.
However, Rusape referee Robert Mugorosa ruled Mukuradare offside.
The Sunshine Boys continued dominating proceedings and their unrelenting efforts were almost rewarded after 21 minutes when dependable Buffaloes defender Themba Ndlovu, in an effort to clear the ball, headed straight into the feet of a well positioned Mukuradare but fellow Buffaloes defender Shepherd Nkata reacted quickly to clear the ball to safety.
Unlucky Harare City could also have surged ahead when Songani took their third corner of the match in the 22nd minute but an unmarked Trymore Nyamadzawo lacked precision as he directed his header wide.
When the two teams came back after the breather, Buffaloes were now a better side and the light showers at Sakubva seemed to have inspired Watungwa Watungwa as they gradually turned the tables and took the game to their opponents.
Harare City defender Crispen Dickson then needlessly hacked down Jacob Muzokomba in the box and referee Mugorosa made no mistake as he instantly pointed to the spot.
Up stepped impressive Banda and for the fourth time in three matches, the former La Sakubva Juniors player neatly placed the ball in the net to propel his team into the lead. Banda’s winner sent the small crowd of home team fans in attendance into song and dance while his coach was full of praise for the young player who might become the find of the season for the Mutare army side.
“I think we played well and with better precision in front of goal I think we should have scored more than one goal. However, I am happy with the way Farai Banda is performing. He has been consistent and I hope he will keep up the good work.
“Our strategy was simple especially in the second half. We came back to slow their game and pounce when given the opportunity. We did just that and it worked well for us,” said Chaminuka.
His opposite number, Bigboy Mawiwi cried foul over the disallowed goal but conceded that the referee gave the home side a genuine penalty.
“I think you have seen what happened. The referee denied us a clear goal and this happened against last year when we came here at Sakubva. We scored four goals and they were all disallowed. Maybe that is the way football is played in this part of the country.
“However, we also missed a number of good scoring chances especially in the first half when were dominating play. Unfortunately a schoolboy blunder by a defender cost us a lot as the referee rightly awarded a penalty to the home team. Anyway we are going to regroup and hope that we will get maximum points in our next encounter,” he said.
Teams:
Buffaloes: C Tandadzai; P Chandisaita; F Banada; S Nkata; T Ndlovu; P Matizanadzo; T Mareya; R Mwenga; W Sithole; J Muzokomba; S Sibanda (A Dzumbunu 70th minute).
Harare City: M Nyamupangedengu; R Maketo; D Crispen; W Nyamutsaka; J James; S Songani (C Muvuti 77th minute); T Nyamadzawo (G Nguwodzawo 62nd minute); M Vengesai; O Mukuradare (W Manondo 57th minute): P Bhamusi.
Online Reporter