Chronicle EditorLiberty Dube in MUTARE
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
DEBUTANTS ZPC Kariba continued with their decent start to life in the Castle Lager season when they ground out a crucial point on the road against Buffaloes at Sakubva yesterday. It might have been a dull affair but the visitors coach Saul Chaminuka who has previously coached Buffaloes was still left a happy man with the point his team secured.
Both teams showed flashes of brilliance and numerous attempts at goal against each other although Buffaloes appeared the hungrier of the two.
Buffaloes came close in the 36th minute when striker Admire Dzumbunu’s effort just went over with ZPC goalkeeper Tendai Hove a beaten man.
There was really nothing on show for the less than 400 fans who watched this game as Buffaloes failed to build on their fine showing in their previous home assignment against Chicken Inn.
Both teams never looked vicious until the last 10 minutes of the second half when ZPC became the more urgent of the two sides in their search for a breakthrough.
Buffaloes though had found the winner on 64 minutes when Dzumbunu dribbled past two ZPC defenders and fired home but Rusape-based referee, Brighton Chimene disallowed the effort for an offside.
Chaminuka reckoned that his team had been lucky to secure a point against a home side that was keen on getting all the three points.
“That was a team which I was working with and I expected such a result. Buffaloes were a team that I worked with and if that team had won, it was going to be a well deserved win because I worked with the majority of the team. I am, however, overall happy with my team’s performance.
Buffaloes’ gaffer Masomere said although ZPC played better in the first half they had a chance to claim a win in the second period if their concentration levels had been better.
“We were not very sharp upfront and honestly the result was okay. It does not mean that when you are playing at home you should win all games every time. We, however, need to reorganise in the next match and be more precise in front of goal.
“We were not very much composed upfront. Our strikers have been midfielders all along and we have been trying to make them strikers. Gutu and Matizanadzo have been consistent and adding value to the team and we are still happy with the result today,” Masomere said.
TEAMS:
Buffaloes: B. Mwandimutsira; S. Choenda; M. Gutu; P. Matizanadzo; T. Mombeshora; P. Chandisaita; F. Bushiri; J. Takunda; P. Thembani (L. Katongomara 65th minute); R. Mwenga (J. Muzokomba 65th minute); A. Dzumbunu (M. Fenyeka 70th minute).
ZPC Kariba: T. Hove; T. Ranthokoane; D. Phiri; E. Mwinga; D. Danda; P. Tafirenyika; T. Munyanduri; R. Manuvire; M. Makanje; T. Nyamandwe (A. Nyamhiwa 76th minute); C. Masocha.
Online Reporter