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with two other strikers and immediately declared that he is aiming to score at least 20 goals this season.
The forward,who scored nine goals last year with Monomotapa, has since scored half-a-dozen goals in seven matches he has started for his new club and is now tied on the pole position with Dynamos’ Washington Pakamisa and Chicken Inn Tendai Ndoro.
The striker said with only ten round of matches played so far, only the sky is the limit.
“I am happy that l have quickly settled at the club and getting the goals. Last season l had nine goals the whole year so if l maintain my scoring rate l can even go up to 20 goals. I have started seven matches and the only match that l did not score was in Mutare,” said Mukuradare.
And it appears the modest club, whose top goal scorer last year captain Godfrey Nguwodzawo had five goals, has found a “Mr Goals” in Mukuradare. Their two new forwards Mukuradare and Martin Vengesayi already share nine goals between them.
Yesterday, Mukuradare thrust his team into the lead at Rufaro in the 21st minute when he converted a penalty after referee Nomore Musundire correctly ruled that Triangle defender Richard Kawondera had handled in the box.
The striker, who in the 15th minute had a goal disallowed for offside when he was in a good position, finally got it right six minutes later.
Harare City midfielder, Trymore Nyamadzawo, then scored the insurance goal in the 72nd minute when he received a clever back heel from Vengesayi and did justice to the ball beating Triangle ‘keeper Brighton Chipula.
The victory saw the Sunshine Boys going onto the 17-point mark pending the determination of their abandoned game against Shabanie which they are likely to get all points. Coach Bigboy Mawiwi said they were happy with where they are and he will not exert pressure on his charges.
“This is a marathon and l don’t want to give my players unnecessary pressure. We don’t have to be too ambitious. I think this is a good result especially considering the way we started the season as we lacked consistency, but it’s now coming up nicely.
“It builds confidence but we still have a lot of work and it’s a process as this is almost a new side, but l am happy we are improving.
“Triangle are a good side, especially on counter attacks, they are tricky and accurate. But we did well to keep a clean sheet,” said Mawiwi.
The coach is happy with Mukuradare’s contribution.
“I am very happy with his performance and it is unfortunate that he has had two goals disallowed within a week as in Zvishavane he scored a clear goal and it was disallowed and today it was the same story, it was a genuine goal,” said Mawiwi.
Television replays clearly showed Mukuradare was on-side.
Triangle coach Gishon Ntini, who saw his team remain stuck at eight points and may find themselves anchoring the log table after the full round of Premiership matches on Sunday, said there was no need to press the panic buttons.
“Other teams have gone for three matches without a win so there is nothing unusual here. Today (yesterday) we performed below par and did not rise to the occasion but we will rise and the results will come.
“I feel the penalty was too soft and it also gave a lifeline to Harare City. These are the penalties that we are not getting when in similar situations,” said Ntini.
Teams
Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, M. Nyenye, R. Maketo, C. Dickson, W. Nyamutsaka, J. Jam, S. Songani (W. Manondo 36th minute), T. Nyamadzawo (P. Bamusi 75th minute), N. Ziwini, O. Mukuradare(C. Muvuti 82nd minute), M. Vengesayi.
Triangle: B.Chipula, R. Kawondera, B. Chimwamuchere, W. Mapfumo, C. Ngondonga, D. Sengu, T. Chipunza, S. Chihota (J. Brian 49th minute), W. Gondo (D. Kamunenga 67th minute), B. Maziwisa, L. Nhamo (T. Muendi 64th minute).
Online Reporter