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Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
ZIFA Eastern Division One log leaders Mutare City Rovers showed why they are favourites for Premiership promotion when they edged Buffaloes FC 3-1 to lift the Defence Forces Trophy at Sakubva yesterday.
The match started on a high note with Buffaloes looking for an early goal but City Rovers found the opener after 22 minutes of play through a penalty by former Masvingo United striker Pervington Zimunya.
Buffaloes equalised through the club’s new signing Kuda Chiwara seven minutes later.
Both teams missed glorious opportunities in the first half and went for the break deadlocked 1-1.
It was a different tale, however, in the second period as Gusha Bhora emerged from the break a much better side.
For many periods Buffaloes were under pressure as Mutare City kept probing for more goals.
On the other end the Buffaloes attack created few scoring opportunities and when they a find way past the Mutare defence, they found a stumbling block in the Rovers goalkeeper Emmanuel Makhuyana who made a number of brilliant saves.
Rovers were back in the driving seat in the 52nd minute through a hard and low shot by substitute Allen Zhanje.
Former Africa Trust midfielder Emmanuel Silinda then sealed victory in the 73rd minute.
Mutare City Rovers assistant coach Itai Makuni saluted his players for a job well done.
“The boys did well, they played according to our plan. It was more of a friendly match but we took it seriously. We produced our desired results,’ Silinda said.
Buffaloes coach Shadreck Mugurasave said he was happy with his team’s performance and indicated he would not read much into the result.
“We did well. It was just like a friendly match and we rested most of our best players just to pave way for other players.
It was a good game and the best team won at the end of the day,” Magurasave said.
For winning the trophy, Mutare City Rovers were given a trophy and $100 while Buffaloes got $50.
In the Women, Faith Drive dismissed Youth Games select 2-1 and got the same amount as the male counterparts.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter