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From Paul Mundandi in ZVISHAVANE
Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
SHABANIE overcame the setback of the industrial action that rocked their camp on the eve of the match to collect maximum points against Buffaloes from this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at Maglas yesterday.
A strike by the exciting Fungai Chirinda in the eigth minute and a penalty in the 54th minute, converted by Pervington Zimunya, was all the asbestos miners needed to collect maximum points.
Going into the match, there were worries that the miners were not focused after their players moved out of camp on the eve of the game in protest.
The players only regrouped around midday but went on to produce a fine performance that kept fans at the edge of their seats as Buffaloes come into the party a bit late.
Luke Masomere opted to leave Tarisai Rukanda, Caleb Masocha, Talbott Mtombeni, Rowland Makiwa and the resurgent Solomon Ndlovu on the bench.
Shabanie shot into the lead with some fans still streaming into the stadium when Valentine Ndaba’s effort inside the area was blocked by the visitors’ ‘keeper Blessing Mwandimutsira into the path of Erea Phiri.
Phiri threaded a pass to Chirinda whose first time effort went home.
A minute later Zimunya was denied by the woodwork.
Then the visitors’ best player on view, Jacob Muzokomba, came face-to-face with ‘keeper Victor Twaliki after he was sent through by Stephen Sibanda but he directed his effort wide.
Shabanie then punished the visitors, after the horrible miss by Muzokomba, when Themba Ndlovu brought down Zimunya in the box and referee Munyaradzi Majoni, who had recovered from the assault sustained at the hands of security personnel at the FC Platinum/CAPS United match on Wednesday, pointed to the spot.
Zimunya sent Mwandimutsira the wrong way from the spot.
Buffaloes could have got a face saver in injury time but a free header from substitute Prince Mudawu saw Twaliki diving full stretch to his right to block the effort for a corner.
“We gave Shabanie Mine a soft goal and we missed a number of scoring opportunities. We have to regroup and prepare for Chicken Inn,” said Timothy Masachi, the Buffaloes coach. Masomere was naturally pleased with the win.
“I am very happy to win, after the break as we played a good game. I am now moving towards our objective — a top eight finish.
“We have numerous problems at the club and it’s now an addiction to us but we are just concentrating on the field of play.
“Organisation comes from the top and the top is not functioning,” he said.
Teams
Shabanie: V Twaliki ,F. Bushire,E. Phiri ,F Chirinda (C. Masocha 83rd ), P. Muzondo (R. Mware 73rd ) , W. Ngonya , B. Mbavarira ,S. Muchabayiwa, T. Mombeshora, V. Ndaba(T Rukanda 76th ), P. Zimunya
Buffaloes: B. Mwandimutsira, B. Mukwena ,S. Nyauzima ,T. Ndlovu ,P. Chandisaita , R. Chakoroma , P. Matizanadzo (P. Madau 86th), A. Dzumbunu, J. Muzokomba, S. Sibanda, L. Katongomara (K .Juwakinyu
Online Reporter