Buffaloes win for Bandama

From Ray Bande in Mutare
Buffaloes 1-0 Chiredzi FC
MUTARE outfit Buffaloes laboured to a slender triumph over a determined Chiredzi FC in a Premiership encounter played at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.A minute of silence was observed before kick-off in honour of Brigadier-General Eliah Bandama, who died last week.  He was also the Buffaloes patron.

The home team could have buried Chiredzi earlier but missed numerous clear-cut opportunities especially in the first half in which they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

Fifteen minutes into the match, talented youngster Philip Thembani could have put his name on the scoresheet after some fine exchanges with captain Jacob Muzvokomba. The move  culminated in a beautiful curler by Thembani but it narrowly missed the target.

Two minutes later, out-of-sorts visiting striker Norman Maroto, who was well positioned on the blind side, failed to make good use of a fine cross from Malvin Gaki as his feeble header was safely collected by Blessing Mwandimutsira, in goal for Buffaloes.

Chiredzi’s Gift Kwaramba handled in the box in the 69th minute and referee Brighton Chimene duly pointed to the spot.

Up-stepped Muzvokomba made no mistake.

Although he lamented wasted scoring opportunities in the first half, Buffaloes assistant coach Timothy “Sicho” Masachi was happy to have collected maximum points.

“We could have won this match by a wider margin if we had not wasted a lot of scoring opportunities especially in the first half. However, I am happy that we managed to collect maximum points because at the end of the day that is what matters most,” he said.

Chiredzi FC head coach Tinashe Zvishiri, who has seen his charges lose for the second successive match since he took over from ousted Moses Chunga, alleged biased officiating.

“My boys played good football. We were in control of the game especially in the second half but we were let down by poor officiating. I do not think that was a genuine penalty at all. This is the reason we will never have our referees officiating at international tournaments. They are killing the game of football in this country,” he said.