Vusumuzi Dube
Langton Nyakwenda in chisumbanje
Greenfuel 0 -3 Simba Bhora 3
SIMBA BHORA FC eased their relegation worries after posting their biggest win of the season at Greenfuel Stadium in Chisumbanje yesterday.
Tymon Machope, Albert Manenji and substitute Alexander Mandinyenya were on target as Tonderai Ndiraya’s side registered a second consecutive win that pushed them to 29 points.
Greenfuel, who were playing their second game at the recently opened Greenfuel Stadium missed a number of chances including a late penalty.
Collins Dhuwa’s 85th minute penalty was punched away by an alert Simba Chinani.
Ndiraya was a relieved man after the whistle as he thought his boys had won against all odds.
“It was an emphatic victory. It was really difficult for us. We were playing against the distance, we were playing against the heat,” said Ndiraya.
Simba Bhora travelled over 500km to Chisumbanje.
The Shamva side are now five points clear from the relegation zone.
“What more can you ask for when you produce a good result under those conditions,” said Ndiraya.
Simba Bhora and Greenfuel are now tied on 29 points.
The Chisumbanje based side failed to reproduce the same performance that saw them post a victory against Sheasham in their first game at the Chipinge venue two weeks ago.
However, their coach Rodwell Dhlakama thinks his boys will rise in the league’s home stretch.
“It’s (defeat) difficult to comprehend, especially given the position that we are on the log” he said.
“I thought we controlled the game in the first half but they scored against the run of play.
“We thought we would recover in the second half but again, they scored against the run of play.
“They got an assurance goal and that was it,” said Dhlakama.
The veteran gaffer should however be credited for transforming Greenfuel into a competent side.
The team was in relegation zone when Dhlakama took over the reigns in April.
But yesterday he failed to work his magic as Simba Bhora grabbed an early lead in the 13th minute through Machope. He placed the ball beyond the reach of Chris Mverechena after he was fed by the lively Ronald Chitiyo.
Manenji then doubled the lead with a long range strike that went in off the post in the 49th minute.
Substitute Mandinyenya then put the game to bed when he found the target from close range.
He was given room to control the ball before hitting home on the turn, nine minutes from time.
Four minutes later, Greenfuel were awarded a penalty by referee Jimmy Makwanda after Dhuwa was felled in the box. However, the midfielder failed to beat Chinani. Greenfuel had a number of chances with Nqobile Ndlovu and substitute James Nguluve, the main culprits.
TEAMS
Greenfuel: C. Mverechena, T. Pfende, T. Gora, M. Phiri, H. Moyo, T. Mutyambizi, C. Dhuwa, R. Uchena, N. Ndlovu (R. Chinemo 70th minute), W. Mapuwa, N. Mwasanga (J. Nguluve 59th minute)
Simba Bhora: S. Chinani, R. Kangadzi, T. Machope (S. Chatikobo 60th minute) A. Manenji, R. Chitiyo (V. Kawe 75th minute), I. Nyanhi, W. Tafa, T. Chipunza, B. Moyo, P. Jaure, T. Balakasi (A. Mandinyenya 75th minute).
Online Reporter