Shabanie thump Triangle

Paul Mundandi in Zvishavane
Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
SHABANIE Mine silenced the doubting Thomases with a sterling performance that won them many hearts, including those of the neutrals, in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Maglas yesterday. A dark cloud had been cast after the departure of Luke Masomere who joined Buffaloes and some fans who had no faith in the coach, the team, the executive had changed their allegiance but John Phiri’s men proved their critics wrong.

“Those people who were saying I was not good I now forgive them for they don’t know what they were saying. The win was a morale booster to the team and the community and it’s just a start of better things to come. We did not just score goals but they were well taken goals”, boasted Phiri who saluted the fans after the final whistle.

Goals from Carlos Mesi in the 42nd minute, Louis Matawu (61st )an own goal by Triangle defender Jimmy Tigere in the 17th minute was all the hosts needed to collect their first set of points this season.

Triangle got their face saver from the right boot of Tigere in the 85th minute.
Former Motor Action striker Mesi born to Mozambican parents exerted pressure on Tigere and in a bid to head the ball to his keeper he beat Ronald Mudimu.

The goal was the tonic Shabanie needed as they fought for every ball and looked a bit stronger and hungry for victory than Triangle. Underrated midfielder Pasca Manhanga could have eaqualised for the visitors when he let go a right footer outside the box following a pass from Courage Denias but his effort was blocked with impressive goalkeeper Victor Twaliki for a corner.

Mesi then increased Shabnie’s tally five minutes later. A good exchange involving Louis Matawu, Zvikomborero Bizeki saw Nelson Melson unleashing a scorching grounder that Mudimu parried back into play.

The rebound was met by the alert Mesi whose effort went past the goalkeeper who was sprawling on the ground. Shabanie could have increased their tally in the 53rd minute when Daniel Chakupe flighted a defence splitting pass into the area but Allan Tavariswa and Mesi with the goalkeeper already beaten they completely missed the ball and it was cleared for a corner which the visitors defended as if their lives depended on it.