adminOscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle 0-3 Flame Lily
SOMETHING has just gone terribly wrong at Triangle.
For a team that had developed a knack of high-scoring wins, Triangle have over the last few weeks lost their rhythm both at home and away and fallen out of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer title race and are distant fourth, 14 points behind leaders Chicken Inn.
The Sugar Sugar Boys were at home against Flame Lily at Gibbo yesterday.
But two first half goals by the Flame Lily striking duo of Moses Demera and Vimbai Mukudo and another second half goal by substitute James Chivasa were enough to stretch Triangle’s winless streak to eight games as they succumbed to yet another home defeat.
Triangle struggled for the entire first half missing seven regular starters through club suspensions.
They suspended seven players for drinking after their 5-0 drubbing by Harare City in the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final.
Striker Courage Denias, Chasten Ngondonga, Praise Tonha, Charles Rukwanhi, Peter Muzondo, Nhamo Lameck and Dumisani Ndlovu missed out through suspension while Brian Juwayeyi and Nelson Meson are out nursing injuries.
Flame Lily scored as early as six minutes into the game after a defensive error by captain Jimmy Tigere. Demera capitalised, giving goalkeeper Ronald Mudimu no chance with his low shot.
Mukudo doubled the lead 10 minutes later in a carbon copy of the first goal with Hillary Bakacheza needlessly losing possession in his own half.
Substitute Chivasa then wrapped up an important win for the visitors who are battling against relegation, when he scored the third goal, beating an offside trap to control Peter Ngwenya’s pass with a deft touch before rounding off the goalkeeper to score.
The visitors’ assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi was happy with the result that keeps alive their hopes of avoiding the chop.
“We prepared the same way and we were just unlucky in our previous games but we’ve been playing well. The result will give us confidence ahead of another tough encounter against Dynamos but we’re optimistic of collecting three points at home,” Chiragwi said.
Triangle technical manager Kelvin Kaindu was devasted after the loss.
“It’s difficult to comment about this game, we gave away easy goals, all three goals. We’re not scoring at home and all the points we’re picking, we’re getting them away from home. It’s been a difficult second round,” said Kaindu.
“We need to have self belief and continue working hard if we’re to win our remaining fixtures,” Kaindu said.
TEAMS
Triangle: R. Mudimu, D. Phiri, J. Tigere, J. Dzingai, E. Mwinga, T. Chipunza, M. Gaki, H. Bakacheza, P. Manhanga, T. Muyendi, F .Kuswatuka
Flame Lily: L. Majaira, G. Phiri, B. Chayambuka, B. Chandisaita, S. Jimu, T. Huwa, E. Chidawaya, K .Marowa, V. Mukudo, F. Madhanhanga, M. Demera
Online Reporter