admin2012 Castle Lager Premiership campaign.
The former Motor Action defence kingpin, the unsung hero of Buffaloes’ fine run this season, was inspirational at Sakubva yesterday as the home team pushed a 10-men Warumwa Warumwa closer to relegation.
Prosper “Zhake” Matizanadzo will probably get all the credit for this victory with his last-gasp winner, connecting a fine cross from hardworking captain Dananai Chinowawa, but the rock on which this victory was built was Ndlovu.
At 44 points, with two rounds of matches remaining, the Mutare army side can now afford to lose their remaining matches and still secure a Top Eight finish.
A Top Eight finish means a lot to Watungwa Watungwa after giant mining company, Mbada Diamonds, donated a total of US$140 000, uniforms and pledged to finance their end-of-year awards ceremony if they manage such a feat.
Yesterday’s defeat was too much to take for Warumwa Warumwa who came into the match just four days after a battering, at home, at the hands of Dynamos.
That Buffaloes have now completed a league double over Mambas and booted the police team out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, puts into context their superiority over their rivals.
Buffaloes settled down first and the first opportunity fell on striker Michael Mageja who worked his way past a cluster of Mambas defenders on the right channel and fired a stinger that was blocked by Mambas’ ‘keeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.
The two teams traded blows for the better part of the game and it appeared to be staggering to a draw before Matizanadzo produced his sucker punch to win the game for the hosts.
Interestingly, the home team’s fans had spent large parts of the game calling for Matizanadzo’s substitution.
Coach Saul Chaminuka stuck with his man and was duly rewarded at the very end.
“I think we played well and dominated the match although the goal would not come by,” said Chaminuka.
“However, I am happy that Prosper Matizanadzo managed to prove his critics wrong.
“Fans were clamouring for his ouster but he delivered where we needed a goal.
“I am the coach and at the end of the day I have the final say on who takes to the field of play.”
Mambas threw everything at their opponents and they can’t fault their effort.
Kasimero Chimbadzwa was full of running and could have put his name on the scoresheet in the ninth minute when he received a cross from Innocent Nyoni but his effort was ruled offside.
It got worse for the visitors when defender Ben Nyahunzvi was sent off for an early shower by referee Makonese Masakadza for a second bookable offence following his clumsy challenge on a goal-bound Phineas Bhamusi in the 50th minute.
Mambas assistant coach Martin Bonongwe complained about the performance of the referee.
“I think our boys played well and did everything they could under difficult conditions,” said Bonongwe.
“The referee was clearly biased against us. If we had been afforded fair match officiating we could have won this match.
“We are still confident of surviving relegation but that depends on the kind of match officiating we get in our last two matches.”
Teams:
Buffaloes:
H Bere; T Ndlovu; D Chinowawa; J Jambo; P Chandisaita; P Alfasi; P Matizanadzo; R Mwenga; P Bhamiusi (K Thembani 79th minute); B Chirere (P Mudau 79th minute); M Mageja:
Black Mambas:
T Mateyaunga; G Chikweva; K Chimbadzwa; N Alfandika (E Chitato 79th minute); C Hungwe; K Kapikinyu; G Mangani; B Nyahunzvi; L Chibwiro; P Madziro; I Nyoni
Online Reporter