Andrew
Sports Reporter
Herentals…………………………………… (0) 1
Triangle……………………………………….0
FOLLOWING two consecutive defeats that had spoiled their promising start to the season, Herentals returned to winning ways when a late well-struck free-kick by Prince Chama handed them victory in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Herentals endured a frustrating first half in which they failed to capitalise on clear-cut chances that came their way.
It took the intervention of right-back Chama to hand Herentals maximum points from a beautifully executed set-piece from about 40 metres on the left flank in the 82nd minute. “When we were awarded the free-kick, everyone knew that this was a half-chance and I had to take the chance.
“It is not surprising that I scored from such a distance, I am good at dead balls and I always do this in training,” said Chama.
Herentals showed great determination from the onset as they sought to stem their slide.
They were unlucky not to have scored in the opening stages of the match when two of their forwards — Innocent Benza and John Zhuwao — failed to convert three good-looking crosses from Chama in the first 10 minutes.
Although they had been put on the back foot in the opening stages, Triangle finally found their footing on the quarter-hour mark and started neutralising the Herentals attacks that were being orchestrated by man-of-the match Chama.
The match then turned into a more balanced affair between the two sides, with action swinging from both ends.
Neither side could, however, find the cutting edge.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva changed tack and opted for the long ball, which seemed to unnerve the visitors, as they were forced into defensive mode.
Triangle coach Jairos Tapera admitted that Herentals long balls gave his players a tough time.
“It was a difficult day for us, difficult in the sense that whatever we had planned couldn’t flow. These guys used a tactic which worked against us.
“We failed to deal with their long balls, which I feel made the difference.
Online Reporter