Sundaymail Editor
Ray Bande in MUTARE
Tenax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Tenax were totally outclassed and outfoxed as they sank deeper into relegation after army side Black Rhinos became the latest team to hand them defeat in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.
The Premiership debutants have struggled in the top-flight.
Goals from Keith Madera in the first period and substitute Brighton Christopher in the second half put paid to Tenax’s hopes of getting at least a point at home.
Both teams had a slow start and created few scoring opportunities.
In the 24th minute, the impressive Madera cleared the ball from the goal line after Theophilus Musiteyi’s low diving header almost went in.
Five minutes later, the prison wardens went to sleep, allowing their opponents to make neat exchanges, resulting in an unmarked Madera nodding home from close range to give Black Rhinos the lead.
Tenax’s top man Musiteyi, who was literally chasing shadows in the 45 minutes he played before being substituted, missed a clear-cut opportunity just before half-time when Panashe Mutasa threaded a lovely through-pass.
But somehow pencil-slim Musiteyi, with virtually the goalkeeper to beat, lacked pace and failed to connect as the ball rolled past him.
It was not surprising when Tenax coach Shadreck Mugurasave did the sensible thing of pulling him off at the break and bringing on stocky striker Malvern Dumbura.
Substitute Mapara was just unlucky not to put his name on the scoresheet when his 52nd minute blistering shot missed the target by a few inches.
Rhinos extended their lead when exciting Christopher flicked home a beauty in the 68th minute, leaving Tenax goalkeeper Panashe Chirimanyemba well-beaten.
Man-of-the-match Christopher — the mastermind behind Rhinos’ attacking moves — almost made it three for the soldiers, but his 80th-minute curler went wide.
Rhinos coach Stanford Mtizwa praised his team for an impressive show.
“I really want to thank the boys for a brilliant performance. They played very well and it was clear to all that we controlled the game from the onset to the end,” he said.
“Playing against relegation-threatened teams is never easy, but I am happy with the way the boys applied themselves and managed to get a good result.”
Mugurasave bemoaned lack of creativity in his Tenax outfit.
Online Reporter