Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A RUTHLESS first half blitz and a fiery local rivalry fuelled Triangle United to their biggest win in Castle Lager Premier Soccer League history as they demolished GreenFuel 5-1 at Gibbo Stadium yesterday.
And it didn’t matter they had been reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
Dubbed the Lowveld Derby, this match had promised fireworks, but few expected the Sugar Sugar Boys to be that brutal.
Triangle were off to a flying start and opened the scoring in the fourth minute through a sublime free-kick from skipper Thabani Kamusoko, who curled the ball beyond debutant GreenFuel goalkeeper Frank Kuchinei.
Three minutes later, they doubled their lead after a defensive blunder from GreenFuel gifted Aaron Zeka a tap in, courtesy of a pin-point pass from Menford Mudzimu.
By the 12th minute, it was already 3-0, winger Tawanda Chatuluka’s skill and pace forced Colin Mujuru to commit a foul in the box. Joel Munsaka, who has been in red hot form, converted the penalty with ease to register his third goal in as many games.
Triangle, currently languishing in the lower half of the table, looked nothing like a struggling side. They made it 4-0 in the 26th minute when Kamusoko again turned provider, setting up Chatuluka to slot home with composure.
Still hungry for more, Mudzimu fired home a fifth in the 40th minute, effectively killing the contest before the break.
In the 53rd minute Triangle defender Arnold Mawadza was shown a straight red card for violent conduct following a heated scuffle.
With the numerical advantage, GreenFuel finally pulled one back from the penalty spot, Ngwende converting in the 56th minute, but it was little more than a consolation as the Chisumbanje based out-fit slumped to their heaviest defeat in the top flight.
GreenFuel coach Taurayi Mangwiro shouldered the blame.
“As a coach, I own up for the poor showing. We were second to everything, Triangle punished us for basic defensive mistakes,” he said.
His opposite number, Genesis Mangombe, was elated.
“We wanted to win with an emphatic margin, and we did. Two wins, two draws, ten goals in our last four games… that’s a decent return for a team fighting relegation,” he said.
