admin
Ricky Zililo, Sports Reporter
How Mine………………………0
Black Rhinos ……………..(1) 3ARMY side Black Rhinos FC handed Philani “Beefy” Ncube his first league defeat as How Mine coach since taking over from Philani Mabhena in August with a fine display in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Former Dynamos and Chapungu striker Philip Marufu got a brace for the relegation threatened Black Rhinos with Lot Chiwunga rising from the bench to put the game beyond the reach of How Mine.
Black Rhinos got their lead four minutes into the game when Marufu reacted swiftly and rose higher than How Mine’s goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura to head the ball which had taken an awkward bounce.
Wilson Chakanyuka had sent in a cross from the left and Mazarura misjudging its bounce left the striker to score. The visitors stretched their lead two minutes after halftime after a good combination of veterans Gilbert Mushangazhike and Marufu. The former Chapungu hitman capitalised on a defensive mix up between Gilbert Banda and Brighton Dube to connect a Mushangazhike cross from the right where he had dribbled past Herbert Dick.
Ten minutes before fulltime, Black Rhinos caught How Mine on a counter attack this time Marufu providing an assist with a perfect cross from the left which Chiwunga headed past a hapless Mazarura.
Chiwunga had replaced Mushangazhike in the 66th minute. Ncube conceded defeat and said his players failed to come to the party.
“We were all systems out and congratulations to Black Rhinos who planned very well for this game and were far much better than us.
“It’s like we were not there at all as we struggled throughout the game and such things happen in football.
“Now we have to regroup and plan for the next fixture,” said Ncube.
How Mine did not show any intention to score as they were restricted to playing outside Black Rhinos’ penalty box.
They only had two half chances in the 35th minute when Banda rose high to connect a Dick cross from the left and his header was off target.
Black Rhinos’ defensive midfielder Blessing Sande was the star of the day as he thwarted most of How Mine’s moves.
The other scoring opportunity for How Mine came in the 54th minute when Dube’s spectacular cross from an acute angle grazed paint off the cross bar.
The rebound fell to Timothy January who failed to direct his effort at goal with goalkeeper Herbert Rusawo a beaten man.
Black Rhinos’ coach Arthur Tutani was happy with the result and said they would continue to fight for their survival.
“This was a great game and I think we did our homework very well. The veteran strikers Mushangazhike and Marufu combined very well and used their experience to our advantage.
“We are still in the relegation zone and we are going to fight until the last whistle taking each game as it comes,” Tutani said.
Black Rhinos, 13th on the log are tied on 26 points with 12th placed Hwange who held Triangle to a 2-2 draw.
Teams
How Mine: Ephraim Mazarura, Brighton Dube, Khumbulani Banda, Gilbert Banda, Herbert Dick, Ocean Mpofu, Menard Mupera, Arnold Ndiweni (Nqobile Mpala 31st minute), Warren Dube (Sizalobuhle Dube 86th minute), Timothy January, Simba Sithole (Thembani Masuku, 86th minute)
Black Rhinos: Herbert Rusawo, Jameson Mukombwe, Milton Kurewa, Shadreck Jimu, Bruce Homora, Blessing Sande, Gilbert Mushangazhike (Lot Chiwunga 68th minute), Wilson Chakanyuka (Brighton Mugoni, 84th minute), Brian Muzondiwa (Trust Machacha 84th minute), Philip Marufu, Wonder Kapinda
Online Reporter