Students teach Triangle a lesson . . . Herentals bounce back in style

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2

Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

They needed a reaction. They delivered it with purpose.

Herentals responded to last week’s flat showing against newcomers Scottland with a sharp, structured performance to edge out troubled Triangle United 2-1 in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Rufaro yesterday.

Bitter from that limp 1-0 defeat seven days earlier, the Students were clearly on a mission and wasted no time stamping their authority on the game, even without their suspended captain, Tino Benza.

And in a match where both sides desperately needed maximum points for very different reasons, Herentals looked far more organised, aggressive, and assured.

Forward Blessing Majarira led an early siege on Triangle’s defence, and although the visitors showed fight, they failed to impose themselves where it mattered most.

The breakthrough came in the 29th minute. Midfielder Kundai Sangare’s curling effort rattled the upright, and Blessing Phiri was first to react, calmly slotting home the rebound to send the home fans into celebration.

Paul Benza’s men looked like they would run riot, with Majarira, Ellison Mweha and Prince Chama all going close but failing to kill off the contest before the break.

Triangle, sitting precariously at the bottom of the log, showed more urgency after half-time. But for all their hustle, they were undone by their own vulnerability at the back. Herentals remained patient and composed. And with 10 minutes left on the clock, Wilmore Chimbetu whipped in a delicious cross that substitute Clemence Gobvu buried with a well-placed header.

At 2-0, the Students looked home and dry, but Triangle refused to throw in the towel.

Genesis Mangombe’s side finally found the net in stoppage time through a long-range drive from Tyler Mugoniwa. It was too little, too late.

The win takes Herentals to 12 points, with one game pending, a boardroom decision over their abandoned match against Kwekwe United. Victory in that one could lift them even higher in a congested mid-table pack.

Meanwhile, Triangle remain rooted to the foot of the table with just five points from 10 outings, and the pressure continues to mount.

Herentals coach Paul Benza was relieved to see his team bounce back.

“I am happy with the way my players expressed themselves in the game,” said Benza.

“We had to win, especially after dropping points in our last game against Scottland.”

Triangle gaffer Genesis Mangombe cut a frustrated figure as his team’s woes deepened.

TEAMS

Herentals: Tinotendaishe Takarinda, Wilmore Chimbetu, Blessing Phiri (Tinashe Mupumha 63’), Prince Chama (Tawanda Chisi 46’), Ralph Kawondera, Blessing Majarira, Brighton Majarira, Melvin Mukiwa (Peter Chota 78’), Ellison Mweha, Innocent Benza (Clemence Gobvu 74’), Kundai Sangare (Eric Dombo 46’)

Triangle: Prince Mujuru, Praise Machengete, Carlos Musimwa, Jordan Pedra, Arnold Mawadza, Thabani Kamusoko, Munashe Bamara, Reginalt Ngazima, Joel Munsaka (Theophilus Musiteyi 72’), Elton Njini (Leo Hofisi 72’), Ali Sadiki (Tawanda Chatuluka 47’) (Tyler Mugoniwa 60’)