Online Reporter
Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle 4-2 Herentals
Triangle United produced a ruthless attacking display at Gibbo Stadium yesterday , thumping Herentals 4-2 in a match that carried drama right to the final whistle.
The win lifted Triangle into 10th place on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log and sent out a warning to Dynamos, their next opponents after the international break.
The hosts struck after just 60 seconds.
Denzel Chatuluka pounced on a rebound after Witness Shava’s effort had been parried by Tinotendaishe Takarinda in the Herentals goal.
Triangle could have doubled their lead soon after, but Takarinda pulled off a fine save to deny Nomore Chinyerere’s fierce free kick in the 12th minute. Chinyerere, a mid-season signing, tormented the visitors with his set piece mastery throughout the afternoon.
By the 15th minute it was 2-0. Munashe Bamara tapped home after Shava, who dazzled with his dribbling, sliced open the Herentals defence.
The 19-year-old Shava was a constant menace and came close himself in the 34th minute, unleashing a rasping shot that shaved the crossbar as the crowd erupted.
Herentals failed to register a clear chance in the opening half, but early in the second, their veteran owner player Innocent Benza rolled back the years with silky touches.
His son, Tinotenda, nearly capitalised, only for Triangle goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi to stretch full length and tip the ball wide in the 48th minute.
Triangle stretched the lead just before the hour mark through substitute and top scorer Aaron Zeka, who weaved through the defence to notch his sixth goal of the season.
That strike seemed to kill the contest at 3-0, but the closing minutes still delivered fireworks.
Herentals pulled one back in the 91st minute when Clemence Gobvu bundled home from a corner.
Triangle restored their cushion almost instantly as substitute Menford Mudzimu tapped in after clever work from Shava.
But there was still time for Herentals to grab another, substitute Erick Dombo scoring with the last kick of the match to complete a six-goal spectacle.
Triangle coach Genesis Mangombe praised his charges:
“We prepared very well for this game. Herentals is a very good side and we needed to utilise our strength to upset them. We were aggressive in the first-half and it paid off because we managed to score two early goals that eventually caused them significant damage.
We scored a total of four goals and it’s a very good margin in this league as we look to improve our goal difference. It’s unfortunate that we conceded two cheap goals when we looked set to keep another clean sheet at home.”
Herentals coach Celestino Benza admitted disappointment but vowed to fight on.
“There are still a lot of points to fight for and there is no guarantee that we are going to fail to collect the remaining points. There is no guarantee that the teams above us will collect all the points.”
derick.khumalo