Chronicle Editor
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle 1-0 Rusitu Tigers
TRIANGLE United Football Club are champions of the Eastern Region Division One League after their narrow win over Rusitu Tigers.
The result means they are back in the Premiership. Going into this match, Triangle and Wangu Mazodze were tied on 69 points with Triangle having a superior goal difference.
Triangle took an early lead scoring their fastest goal of the season inside the opening 37 seconds when Rusitu Tigers defenders failed to deal with Carlos Musimwa’s long throw-in before Munashe Bamara scored to raise decibels at a fully packed Gibbo Stadium.
Triangle dominated the first-half with veteran Ali Sadiki dictating the pace in the middle of the park but they failed to utilise their opportunities. The second-half was different as the visitors took the game to the hosts.
Triangle played the entire second-half on the back foot as Rusitu Tigers gallantly fought for a result.
Triangle, however, managed to protect their lead as veteran midfielder and team captain Thabani Kamusoko kept his charges switched on throughout the game.
The game was a milestone for veteran striker Lameck Nhamo who played his last match and earned his last medal as a player.
Interestingly Nhamo was part of the late Gishon Ntini-coached Triangle side which was promoted in 2012 where he finished the season as the top goalscorer.
The 37-year-old pint-sized striker will not be lost to the game as he has started attaining coaching badges.
“I am happy with today’s win, I came out of retirement when I learnt that Triangle was relegated. I had been out of football for two years but decided to come back and help the team which made me who I am today.
“I am hanging my boots for the second time but I will still be involved in football as I have already enrolled for some coaching classes. I would love to see my beloved team do well in the coming season and add a few more silverware to what we already have in the cabinet. I am proud that at Triangle I have managed to win two Division One league titles, the Netone OneWallet Cup and Chibuku Super Cup and I hope the team can go for the big one,” said Nhamo.
Triangle gaffer Luke Masomere was very happy at the final whistle after achieving what most people thought was impossible. Masomere replaced Arthur Tutani when the team was trailing by 17 points but overturned the deficit to win the championship on goal difference.
“I am very happy with what we have achieved as Triangle. Today marks the beginning of a new era for the club. Of course, today’s game was very difficult, we played against a very good team which was just playing for bragging rights while we had pressure to win. We made a lot of mistakes but we managed to hold on to our lead,” said Masomere.
Triangle United’s new chairman Weston Jemwa who took over from Lovemore Matikinyidze when the team was relegated was happy with the impact that his new executive had on the progress of the team.
Online Reporter