Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
MANICA Diamonds came out of the tunnel for the first time with renewed hope after a takeover by African Mineral Ventures, but Triangle spoiled the moment at Gibbo yesterday.
Instead, it was Lloyd Chitemwe basking in glory.
The 2-0 win means Triangle are rising and Manicaland remain win-less, sinking.
Goals from Steven Zhogi and Jayden Bakari were enough for Chitembwe to collect another full set of points and register his second win in four games since he took over the reins at Triangle United.
Chitembwe also managed a draw against Ngezi Platinum away from home while his only defeat was a narrow 1-0 defeat to Hardrock at Gibbo. Manica Diamonds started like a house on fire and got their first chance inside ten minutes, but winger Charles Teguru was short of options in the box as Triangle United managed to clear their lines.
The home side got their chance a few seconds later on the break as Aaron Zeka raced on the left to set up Bakari who missed an easy chance from ten yards.
Manica Diamonds striker Liberty Manzunzu who registered the club’s only goal leading to this match got an opportunity to double his season tally but a last-minute tackle from Kelvin Mangiza denied the big striker what could have been a goal in the 28th minute.
Triangle eventually got a breakthrough two minutes before the half-time against the run of play when first-half substitutes Tawanda Chatuluka and Zhogi combined well to produce their finest goal of the season so far.
Chatuluka stretched the Manica Diamonds defender wide before cutting inside to his favourite right foot, and when everyone thought he was ready to pull the trigger, he perfectly laid the ball to Zhogi who did justice by putting the ball beyond of Manica goalkeeper Joseph Kaunda.
Bakari missed another chance after beating the goalkeeper only to crush his effort against the crossbar in the 52nd minute.
Manica Diamonds failed to capitalise after Karembo needlessly lost possession to Teguru but Triangle goalkeeper Panashe Nyabunga was quick off his line, putting his body on the line to deny Fortune Binzi what looked like an equaliser for the visitors in the 58th minute.
Manica Diamonds were left to scratch their heads as they got punished just few moments after missing a great chance. Bakari opened his account for Triangle United completing a fluid team goal that gave Kaunda no chance just before the hour mark.
Nyasha Chintuli could have scored his first goal for his second spell at the lowveld based side but rushed his effort and literally passed straight at Kaunda after winning possession from Manica Diamonds defender Carlsone Chirwa in referee’s optional time.
Triangle United head coach Lloyd Chitembwe was happy with the result. His opposite number Clifton Kadurira who joined barely 48hours before the game was disappointed with his team’s performance.
TEAMS:
Triangle United: Panashe Nyabunga, Tatenda Mchisa, Kelvin Mangiza, Arnold Mawadza, Ariel Makopa, Thabani Kamusoko (Steven Zhogi 43min), Enock Karembo, Nyasha Chintuli, Jayden Bakari, Aaron Zeka, Issa Sadiki (Tawanda Chatuluka 43min)
Manica Diamonds: Joseph Kaunda, Ask Rupande (Pascal Shumbaimwe 37min), Charles Teguru, Farai Banda, Lennox Chibi, Carlsone Chirwa, Jeffrey Takunda, Russel Kahiki, Anelka Chivandire (Fitzgerald Banda 63min), Liberty Manzunzu, Bennedict Sithole (Fortune Binzi 49min
