adminBukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
How Mine 0-0 Triangle FC
TRIANGLE FC’s maiden championship hopes suffered another major blow when they were held to a goalless draw by How Mine at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
The Lowveld-based side was hoping to regain their footing after their mid-week horror show that saw them suffering a 0-2 home loss to champions Dynamos.
Kelvin Kaindu’s Triangle dominated the game but their poor showing in the final third cost them two points.
“A draw isn’t good for us at all as we’ve dropped many points in the last two games. We started off well and we dominated possession right from the start and we were just unfortunate not to have scored. We’ve just failed to get vital maximum points,” said Kaindu.
The lunch time kick off started with a minute of silence in honour of former Highlanders’ great Willard Mashinkila Khumalo, who died in the early hours of yesterday.
The visitors were the better team with their mobile midfield running rings around the hosts. Triangle almost took the lead in the 18th minute, but Pasca Manhanga crashed his effort against the upright.
Tawanda Muyendi created space for himself close to the box and sent a brilliant through pass to Manhanga who failed to convert.
Four minutes later How Mine should have gone in front had winger Timothy January not shot over from inside the box after being skilfully set-up by Kudakwashe Musharu, who had beaten his two markers.
The gold miners’ captain Menard Mupera also found himself failing to punish the visitor’s sloppy marking inside the box by holding onto the ball for too long allowing Jimmy Tigere to make a timely recovery.
Triangle were forced into making a substitution, throwing in speedy forward Hillary Bakacheza for the injured Lameck Nhamo.
Four minutes after the break, How Mine’s best player on show Musharu forced Triangle goalkeeper Ashley Reyners into a brilliant save after outpacing Tigere on the left wing.
Triangle almost broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute through Charles Rukwani, but he was denied by the upright.
How Mine coach Luke Masomere was content with the point saying his charges were right on track since they were playing superior opponents.
“A draw isn’t a bad result at all as we got the point. We were playing against superior opposition and we’re happy that we held on to collect another point. However, we missed a lot of chances and I’m worried about our forwards as they’ve scored few goals in this campaign,” said Masomere.
Teams
How Mine: Munyaradzi Diya, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Moses Gutu, Mernard Mupera, Thembani Masuku, Morris Kadzola, Devon Chafa, Nyasha Mukumbi, Kudakwashe Musharu, Timothy January, Bejamin Marere
Triangle FC: Ashley Reyners, Brian Juwayeyi (Sakala 73’), Nelson Meson, Dumisani Ndlovu, Jimmy Tigere, Charles Rukwani, Tichaona Chipunza (Mavundi 56’), Cabby Kamhapa, Pasca Manhanga, Lameck Nhamo (Bakacheza 38’),Tawanda Muyendi
Online Reporter