adminGUNNERS continued on their revival path when in-form striker Leonard Fiyado fired a second half goal that sunk hosts Black Mambas in a lukewarm Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Morris Depot yesterday.
Fiyado, who has now bagged five goals in the last five matches, ensured another set of points for Chando Kupisa after taking advantage of a mix-up between goalkeeper Learnmore Jere and his defenders in the 51st minute.
Gunners have been on the rise since the arrival of Moses Chunga early this month with two wins and two draws in their last four matches, to rise from the bottom of the log standings to 11th.
Chunga was elated by the result and remained positive that Gunners will rise from the basement of the log table.
“The guys were great. I think we are gaining confidence with each game. The task is now easier after these three points.
“It’s a process and I think we are getting there. The task is now easier after collecting these three points,” said Chunga.
But Gunners had a subdued first half yesterday as Mambas enjoyed a slight advantage in the early exchanges that were characterised by an aggressive physical approach from both sides.
Referee Ngoni Boyd seemed too lenient on the clumsy challenges and soon bad tackles were flying in every direction without punishment as the players appeared to take matters into their hands out of frustration.
Mambas midfielder Tatenda Magaisa was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a knee-high tackle on Moses Muchenje in the 23rd minute.
The hosts’ skipper Lovemore Maphuya and forward Innocent Nyoni were also later booked for foul play while Gunners’ Edmond Muzvidziwa and Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe were also cautioned.
But the scoring chances remained few and far between at both ends of the goal.
Mambas’ midfielder Frank Banda came close with a flashing header in the 42nd minute but goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba had a slight touch on the ball as it crashed against the upright from a free-kick by Atlast Musasa.
Mambas could have taken the lead soon after the restart but overlapping wingback Luckson Kaisa shot wide after getting to the end of a good exchange in the Gunners’ box.
However Chando Kupisa came back from the breather fired up and they seized control of the flow of play in the second half with a tight grip on the midfield.
Soon they were celebrating their opener after Fiyado stormed into the box and took advantage of poor communication between the Mambas’ backline before dribbling past the goalkeeper and slotting home into an empty net.
Fiyado has now scored five goals in the last five games, which include a brace against CAPS United two weeks ago.
His strike partner Ismael Lawe could have doubled the tally five minutes into added time but his shot crashed against the underside of the crossbar after Mambas defenders had failed to clear from a free-kick.
Mambas’ coach John Ncube was disappointed by the result.
“We didn’t play well especially in the second half. We were always second to the ball and we never created any meaningful chances. It’s disappointing to drop points at home,” he said.
Teams
Black Mambas – L. Jere, L. Kaisa, A. Mususa, L. Maphuya, E. Sabanda, T. Magaisa, F. Banda (P. Kachirika 75th minute), K. Chimbadzwa, I. Nyoni, T. Ngwerume (T. Maganga, 75th minute), S. Mutizirwa
Gunners – P. Chigumba, H. Zvirekwi, M. Kunyarimwe, B. Madzokere, P. Chinungwa, E. Muzvidziwa, M. Muchenje (C. Mukuruva, 65th minute), P. Bamusi (T. Dephistara, 76th minute), I. Lawe, L. Fiyado, M. Demera
Online Reporter