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Innocent Kurira at Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo Chiefs FC 1-0 Black Rhinos FC
Thembinkosi Sibanda was left with no choice but to red card Black Rhinos’ defender Peace Makaha after he slapped Bulawayo Chiefs manager Farai Sibanda before the game had even started.
Bulawayo Chiefs won 1-0 after Perfect Chikwende struck 12 minutes from fulltime, but he won’t be making the headlines after Makaha stole them during warm up.
Makaha encroached into Bulawayo Chiefs half and was blocked by Sibanda who then received a slap in the head from the defender.
All this happened in the sight of fourth official Pilan Ncube who informed referee of the day Thembinkosi Sibanda of the incident.
The referee left his warm up and walked back to the dressing room and came back with a red card that he used to send Makaha to the earliest of showers.
Farai Sibanda watched the game from the stands as the referee dismissed him.
Black Rhinos coach Stix Mutizwa could not give a comment on the incident saying he did not see what had transpired.
He, however, thought his side had played well despite going back home empty handed.
“Both teams played well. We had our chances but their keeper saved them. The boys must not look down because of this result,” said Mutizwa.
Bulawayo Chiefs coach Nilton Terroso was happy to have collected maximum points.
“Very physical and intense game, but I think it was played well. They played aggressively but we handled that well. We were not able to take our chances but we utilised one of them. Credit to the players for the way they played,” said Terroso.
Chikwende was first to threaten for the hosts with a powerful shot from just outside the box with seven minutes played.
The low effort was spilled back into play by Black Rhinos goalkeeper Blessing Mwandimutsira, but, no one was at hand to pounce on the rebound and Black Rhinos easily cleared the danger.
After 13 minutes, Hughe Chikosa found himself with plenty of room inside the visitors box.
He had been neatly set up by Obriel Chirinda. With all the room to pick a spot and slot home, Chikosa shot straight at Mwandimutsira.
Rhinos’ best chance in the first half came through Eli Ilunga. The striker spotted David Bizabani in goal for Chiefs off his line and tried a long range effort from about two metres from the centre line.
The effort was almost a replica of the spectacular one that he beat Ariel Sibanda with at Barbourfields Stadium when they played Highlanders.
Fortunately for Bizabani the ball missed the target by a few inches.
Everson Feremba came close for the visitors with a header after 26 minutes but could not direct the ball on target.
Bizabani pulled a great save to deny Denzel Mutudza 10 minutes after the break.
The midfielder put power into his effort from the edge of the box, but found Bizabani up to the task.
Teams
Bulawayo Chiefs FC
David Bizabani, Elvis Moyo, Kelvin Madzongwe, Hughe Chikosa (Billy Verumu 77 mins), Lucky Ndlela, Arthur Musiyiwa (Wilson Mensah 77 minutes), Obriel Chirinda (Malvin Mkolo 85 mins), Mthokozisi Msebe, Kevin Moyo, Perfect Chikwende ( Farau Matare 83 minutes), Felix Moyo
Black Rhinos FC
Blessing Mwandimutsira, Steady Mudzengere (Keith Madera 63 minutes), Collen Kwaramba, Gareth Madhake, Dennis Dauda, Prince Mlanzi, Ashward Phiri, Brighton Christopher, Denzel Mutudza, Eli Ilunga, Everson Feremba (Tawanda Nyamandwe 63 mins)
Officials
Referee: Thembinkosi Sibanda
First Assistant: Oscar Bumhe
Second Assistant: Sibonokuhle Sibanda
Fourth official: Pilan Ncube — @innocentskizoe
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