Mambas down Bosso

Harare Bureau
Black Mambas  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0BULAWAYO giants Highlanders’ poor run continued yesterday when they went down in a cruel way in this league match at Morris Depot as a section of their fans immediately let out their frustrations on coach Kelvin Kaindu.

Bosso have managed a single win in their last five league matches and yesterday the players failed to give Kaindu a perfect birthday present after he celebrated his birthday on Wednesday.

In turn the Zambian mentor felt the wrath of the fans who insulted him after the game as they could not stomach the defeat.
The former champions fell to an 89th minute strike from defender Paul Mazaranye who received a free kick from Patrick Muswere on the right and fired a shot into the nets.

The late goal came after the visitors had dominated the show in the second half in this rather subdued encounter.   Black Mambas goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga was forced to make a number good saves.

The victory was also a perfect send off for the police side, which is set to fly today as part of team Zimbabwe for the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Corporation Organisation Games in Namibia.

Kaindu said all they need is a win to lift their morale. Apart from the 1-0 victory against Hwange in the last league action, it has been all bleak for the title chasing team.

“It is unfortunate that we didn’t score and at one time we felt we could have got a penalty. It is still a long way to go and I think we just need one win.

“It (poor form) is there in football and you cannot always sail smoothly. Everyone expected us to win today (yesterday) and there was a lot of pressure coming into this game. But all the teams especially those behind are now playing well to pick points,” said Kaindu.

The coach could not comment much on the behaviour of the supporters whom he said are always emotional as they expect to win in all the matches.

Black Mambas assistant coach Martin Bonyongwe said they were happy to pick crucial points and move some places up in the relegation zone.
“We are so excited with the win. We are in the relegation zone but at least have created some gap between us and the bottom teams. We still have a lot of work to do.

“We always tell our central defenders at training to go into attacking areas because they have the height and today they did so and got a goal,” said Bonyongwe.

The police side also introduced their new player Evans Gwekwerere in the second half but he could not do much and it was the visitors who were threatening to get a goal.

Surprisingly, the Zambian mentor chose to start the match with his key players Masimba Mambare and Mthulisi Maphosa on the bench and introduced them later.

Another Bosso substitute Beaven Chikaka could have found the equaliser in the last 20 minutes of the game as Bosso camped in the Mambas area.
But twice, he watched in agony, as Black Mambas goalkeeper Mateyaunga saved his effort while minutes before full time he headed his effort out instead of directing into the nets.

The hosts’ chances in the second half were few. Tsepo Rantokoane’s header was saved by Bosso goalie Munyaradzi Diya while Joseph Mutambiranwa failed to drive home the ball when he got a chance in the box.

However, it was the time for revenge for Warumwa Warumwa, who lost 2-1 to Highlanders at Barbourfields in the reverse leg.

Teams

Black Mambas: T. Mateyaunga, P. Muswere, T. Chinungo, I. Nyoni (B. Chirimanzi 87th minute), B. Nyahunzvi, C. Hungwe, T. Rantokoane, J. Mutambiranwa, H. Chimutimunzeve (E. Gwekwerere 75th minute), P. Marazanye, F. Banda (L. Chibwiro 55th minute).
Highlanders: M. Diya, B. Kangwa, I. Mapuranga, P. Moyo, B. Tshuma, D. Ndlovu, E. Mudzingwa,  H. Masuku (M. Mambare 51st minute), M. Ncube, S. Munawa (M. Maphosa 63rd minute), M. Masitara (B. Chikaka 60th minute).