adminTadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 3
Tenax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
HERENTALS consolidated their sustained push for a top-four finish in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League with this convincing victory at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The Students were full value for the three goals and three points as they bested their guests on both ball and territory.
Majarira cousins Archmore and Brighton, as well as substitute John Zhuwawo, got the goals for Herentals while Tenax found their consolation through Marlvern Dumbura.
The win stretched their intact run to six games without conceding defeat and returned back to fifth place on the log standings, jumping Black Rhinos who had temporarily taken the place on Saturday after their own win over Chicken Inn.
Although they bullied their opponents for much of the opening half, Herentals were taken aback and reminded they were playing a team fighting for survival when they found themselves trailing.
Dumbura came to the end of a headed cut-back from the backpost to open the scoring with six minutes before the interval.
Prior to that it was Herentals all over but the Kumbirai Mutuwekuziva-coached charges were failing to convert their chances.
And the gaffer should have hammered some stern message in the hanger at the break.
If that was the case then it worked as The Students quickly came out of the shell at the resumption with Denzel Chimwemwe’s low cross tapped home by Archmore Majarira to draw the scores level five minutes after the restart.
His cousin Brighton was then hacked down inside the box three minutes later and the centre-back stepped up to slot the resultant penalty home.
The home side created several chances which they should have buried but Tenax, who remain second from bottom, were resolute.
As the Mutare side tried to get the equaliser, Zhuwawo put the match to bed with a firm header off a corner by fellow substitute Collin Mujuru.
Mutuwekuziva praised his charges, particularly for their positive response after going to the break on the backfoot.
“I couldn’t have asked for any better response. We were a bit complacent in the first half and the goal Tenax scored was a wake-up call for us to raise our game,” said Mutuwekuziva.
“I am happy we then responded massively to bury our opponents. Everyone played according to instruction and I am very happy.
“This is our sixth successive match without tasting defeat and I am very happy with the attitude that my players are showing every game. We are aiming to finish in the top-four and we have a lot of work to do to achieve that target.”
His opposite number, Shadreck Magurasave, was disappointed with the defeat but he is still hopeful his team will survive the chop with nine games to play before the curtain comes down on the season.
Teams
Herentals: Takudzwa Chikosi, Wilmore Chimbetu, Zibusiso Ruguchu, Brighton Majarira, Prince Chama(Collin Mukuru 77th min), Godfrey Mukambi, William Kapumha, Tinotenda Benza (Davison Marowa 72nd min), Innocent Benza (John Zhuwawo 64th min), Denzel Chimwemwe (Edgar Mhungu 77th min), Archmore Majarira (Ali Maliselo 64th min)
Tenax: Godfrey Chisango, Lancelot Chakuamba, Pascal Shumbaimwe, Tashinga Pfende, Carlos Musimwa, Fadzanai Vint (Misheck Shonga 67th min) Simon Munemero, Clarence Mbauya (Aristotle Muyamba 55th min), Farai Dzingai (Joel Munsaka 55th min) Panashe Mtasa, Marlvern Dumbura (Audience Munzabwa 67th min)
Online Reporter