adminFrom Oscar Rusenga in Chiredzi
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3
Bantu Rovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
A Richard Kawondera late header was enough to earn Triangle a well-deserved win over fellow struggler Bantu Rovers in this Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at Gibbo yesterday.
Triangle were the first to open the scoring barely a minute into the game when Blessing Chimwamuchere, who is fast becoming a deadball specialist, scored from a free-kick outside the box.
His curling thunderbolt from his left boot gave the Bantu goalie no chance at all.
Despite this early setback, the visitors refused to be intimidated as they got an equaliser in the 17th minute after a poor clearance by Charles Rukwanhi and Obediah Tarumbwa took full advantage of it to level the matters for the Bulawayo-based side.
Bantu were denied by the woodwork in the 28th minute after Triangle goalminder Ronald Mudimu miscalculated a Johannes Ngodzo dipping shot from outside the 18 yard box.
Triangle, however, recovered quickly to score their second goal through Graham Ncube in the 31st minute. The former Highlanders forward made no mistake to score his first goal for the Lowveld side after benefiting from a Brian Juwayeyi pin-point cross from the right.
Another Triangle new boy Hardlife “Chipoto” Mavundi was on top form as he was controlling his side’s engine room from start to finish. It was him who made the difference and left his gaffer Biggie Zuze with a big smile after the match.
Bantu almost equalised after striker Nkosilati Mlalazi crossed the ball from the right flank and Tafadzwa Kutinyu’s connection was saved by the alert Mudimu.
The visitors, however, found the back of the net with only five minutes into the second half when new boy Dalibuhle Muruka scored from close range.
Dalibuhle joined Bantu from a development side in the United Kingdom and scored his first goal in two outings.
Triangle fullback Praise Tonha pushed forward in search of a winner for his side but could only see his shot past the keeper hitting the crossbar in the 76th minute.
Kawondera was, however, the hero of the day for home side as he rose from the bench to head home Chimwamuchere’s cross to score what proved to be the winner.
Triangle, however, need to tighten their defence since they are the side that has conceded the most number of goals in the league this season.
Teams
Triangle: R. Mudimu, P. Tonha, B. Chimwamuchere, C. Rukwanhi, J. Tigere, C. Makoto, H. Mavundi, B. Juwayeyi, H. Bakacheza (C. Kamhapa 71st minute), F. Kuswatuka (R. Kawondera 63rd minute) G. Ncube
Bantu Rovers: T. Mutanga, P Benson, Z. Ngodzo, T. Hadebe, J. Ngodzo, B. Sikwila, N. Masuku, T. Kutinyu, O. Tarumbwa, M. Majika. D. Muraka.
Online Reporter