Bulawayo Chiefs win on return

Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 Greenfuel

Nkosilathi Sibanda at Luveve Stadium

IT was a refreshing start to the second half of the Castle Lager Premiership race for Bulawayo Chiefs as they beat Greenfuel 2-1 at Luveve Stadium this afternoon.

In the first half of the campaign in March, Bulawayo Chiefs were beaten by the same scoreline away.

This afternoon made for a good start to the last leg of the race.

The home side had all the reasons to claim the victory. They continously raided in the opening stages, yet, the threats yielded nothing.

Signs were there that they might be the first to score.

In that moment of hope, Greenfuel’s Clive Rupiya was to score the opener in 21 minutes.

Now, it was for the visitors to dominate, banking on their lead-up to the half-time mark. Amakhosi Amahle had to rethink their draft.

In the second stanza, the hosts’ coach Thulani Sibanda seemed to have talked sense to his charges. They moved the ball well among themselves and killed the Greenfuel rhythm that had earlier given them a headache. Godfrey Muchenje equalised in the 58th minute.

This was off a cross from Nkosiyabo Masilela.

Substitute Leeroy Ndlovu gave Bulawayo Chiefs the lead in the 78th minute.

It was again from another “top class” cross from Masilela.

Masilela’s speed and skill and ball-holding was a challenge for Greenfuel. He was just too good to block on the day and had a chance to record his name on the score card as he, in the 86th minute, pulled a long range shot but goalkeeper Tendai Chirara was alert on it.

Greenfuel’s Tinotenda Meke was outstanding for the visitors, having good ball possession in the midfield and sending good passes upfront. He was the mastermind at advancing and switching the ball forward, towards the attack.

It was a match that Never Rauzhi waved his goodbye to the Bulawayo Chiefs family as he was lured by Highlanders on a six-month loan in the on-going second transfer window which is set to close on July 31.

Bulawayo Chiefs:

Prosper Matutu (gk), Ciphas Musikavanhu, Bukhosi Sibanda (L Ndlovu 64′), Emmanuel Chikwende, Nkosiyabo Masilela, Lucky Ndlela, Panashe Shoko, Never Rauzhi, Malvern Hativagoni, Godfrey Muchenje, Jameson Masaza

Greenfuel:

Tendai Chirara (gk), Honest Moyo, Tashinga Pfende, Reginald Chinemo, Brian Chikwenya, Bruno Mtigo, Mandlenkosi Gasela, Clive Rupiya, Learnmore Muyambo (M Diro 64′) Nelson Mwasanga, Tinotenda Meke