Mighty Bulls, Buffaloes share spoils

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Buffaloes at the Motor Action Sports Club yesterday.
The Mighty Bulls, who could count themselves unlucky to lose 1-0 to Dynamos in their previous outing after putting up a brave show, had appeared headed for another defeat when Roy Mwenga put the visitors ahead in the 54th minute.
Mwenga was well placed to finish off a spirited move engineered by lively winger Phineas Bamusi inside the crowded box but the Mighty Bulls replied almost instantly.
Buffaloes’ lead lasted only three minutes before Maviri controlled a long ball from the Motor Action half to beat goalkeeper Hope Bere with a powerful shot that found the bottom corner.
The point however, did not come easy for the home side as Buffaloes gave their hosts a torrid time the better part of the afternoon with diminutive midfielder Bamusi and Mwenga dictating the pace upfront.
Bamusi was in scintillating form for the Mutare soldiers as he was behind a number of moves which his teammates could not complement.
Striker Michael Mageja could have done justice to a wonderful work down the right channel in the 36th minute following a good exchange between Bamusi and Mwenga as he miscued his shot wide.
But Mwenga was pin point when he rushed into the box to connect a low cross from Bamusi in the 54th minute after the former Gunners player had tenaciously fought his way into the box under challenge from a cluster of Bulls defenders. Bamusi however almost spoiled his day when he was shown a yellow card by impressive referee Ruzive Ruzive for an unnecessary rough challenge on Passmore Bernard midway through the second half.
On the other end of goal, Buffaloes goalkeeper Bere was twice called into action as he spectacularly tipped over the crossbar dangerous strikes from Protash Kabwe few moments after the restart and substitute Norman Maroto in the 76th minute.
The Mighty Bulls, whose finishing was always disappointing, could also count themselves unlucky as leftback Blessing Chimwamuchere’s speculative high ball in the 64th minute came off the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten.
Antipas said his charges were not at their best but was content with settling for a point.