adminOscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle 2-1 Buffaloes
TWO goals within a space of 60 seconds by Tawanda Muyendi and Pasca Manhanga cancelled out Jacob Muzokomba’s first half strike to secure fourth place for Triangle while leaving Buffaloes’ Castle Lager Premiership chances hanging by the thread. Triangle were at home at Gibbo yesterday where they have struggled for results in the second half of the season.
It had appeared to be the script again as the Mutare soldiers took the lead through seasoned striker Muzokomba in the 13th minute. But Muyendi and Manhanga replied in quicksilver fashion to calm the nerves of the Sugar Sugar boys and eventually help them seal fourth place on the log table.
Buffaloes opened the scoring when Muzokomba benefited from a neat cut-back by veteran midfielder Prosper Matizanadzo to punish the home side. Triangle struggled for larger parts of the first half before their technical manager Kelvin Kaindu pulled out young Marvellous Mukumba and introduced the much experienced Courage Denias for change of fortunes in the 35th minute.
The first half ended with the hosts trailing but came back more determined and needed only 10 second to level scores. Man of the moment Muyendi who netted a hat-trick in the last home match headed Praise Tonha’s near perfect corner in the 56th minute before setting up Manhanga for the winner moments later.
Manhanga’s goal came after a swift counter attack that was initiated by Nhamo Lameck whose pass released Denias and his delightful first touch enabled him to cross for Muyendi who unselfishly headed back into the path of the former to volley home.
Triangle were in overdrive in the last 20 minutes but wasted opportunities to bury the game with goalscorers Manhanga and Muyendi being the main culprits.
First it was Manhanga who saw his tame effort cleared off the line with the opposition goalie in no man’s land after being rounded off by the joint club top goal scorer Muyendi in the 73rd minute.
Kaindu was however satisfied with the way his troops bounced after going a goal down in the opening half. But his counterpart Saul Chaminuka was not happy and will now be hoping to secure survival on the last day.
“We still got another day to fight for survival, the boys know what it takes and hopefully it will go our way. It’s disheartening to loose after starting well and finishing the first halt leading. We gave away two quick goals but we believe we can bounce back,” said Chaminuka.
Teams
Triangle: T.Chilenga, P.Tonha, P.Muzondo, J.Dzingai, W.Mapfumo, M.Sakala, M.Mukumba, P.Manhanga, N.Lameck, M.Chiwara, T.Muyendi.
Buffaloes: B.Mwandimutsira, P.Chandisaita, S.Nyauzima, K.Chigwida, K.Mwaramba, E.Dzumbunu, J. Takunda, J.Muzokomba, L.Katongomara, R.Mwenga, P.Matizanadzo.
Bongani Ndlovu