Triangle thrash Chapungu

Oscar Rusenga in Triangle
Triangle 3-0 Chapungu
IT was a really good, Good Friday for hosts Triangle as they registered their second win in three games against a barren Chapungu side who have so far failed to register a single goal in this season’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Three second-half goals from Young Warriors international Praise Tonha, Pasca Manhanga and goalkeeper Ronald Mudimu at Gibbo were enough to send the hosts to second position on the log after a dull first half.

Both sides failed to create clear cut chances in the first stanza and it was Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino who turned to his bench to make a tactical change after 36 minutes taking out Lawrence Mapuya for Ngonidzashe Murisa.

Triangle pushed forward in the second period with substitutes Hillary Bakacheza and another Under-23 international Malvin Gaki changing the complexion of the game.

The Sugar Sugar boys finally broke the deadlock on the hour mark when Bakacheza was brought down from about 35 metres out of the Chapungu goal.

Midfielder Tonha stepped up to score one of the best goals of his career as he hit a thunderous dipping shot that left Chapungu goalkeeper Talbert Shumba rooted on his line.

Even Nyikadzino could only admire Tonha’s strike during the post match interviews.

“Brilliant football from Triangle and we can’t complain, that free-kick changed everything and I repeat that the free-kick was just fantastic”, said Nyikadzino.

Nyikadzino was also worried about his side’s lack of goals. Triangle added their second 10 minutes later when Manhanga ghosted in to score his second goal of the season after Gaki had dribbled past the Chapungu goalkeeper and set him up with a pass on the back post.

Chapungu could have pulled one back but veteran striker Philip Marufu was denied by a well calculated goal line clearance by Nelson Meson in the 80th minute.

Hardlife Mavhundi failed to cap another man of the match performance with a goal after he missed a clear cut chance to put the result beyond doubt. He failed to just chip the ball over the advancing keeper after he was brilliantly set up by Bakacheza in stoppage time.

The enterprising midfielder, however, won a penalty in injury time when he was brought down in the box and referee Arnold Ncube who handled the game well did not hesitate to point to the spot and penalty specialist Mudimu took up the challenge and sent Shumba the wrong way.

Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu was happy that for the first time this season his charges had avoided conceding a goal.

“We have scored nine in three games showing that we are an attacking side but what makes this one the best is that we managed a clean sheet.

“We knew it was not going to be difficult for us to play at our own backyard, it’s good we managed to collect a full set of points but the game that we really prepared for is our away game to Dongo Mills. We played there against Buffaloes and the pitch (Vengere) is challenging”, said Kaindu.

Teams

Triangle: R Mudimu, P Tonha, N Meson, J Tigere, J Dzingai (Bakacheza 46th min) T Chipunza, C Rukwanhi, P Manhanga, B Juwayeyi (Gaki 52nd min) H Mavhundi, R Kawondera (Kuswatuka 78th min)

Chapungu: T Shumba, B Dick (Marufu 46th min) H Mugoniwa, M Muchangani, C Kwaramba, L Mapuya (Murisa 36th min) G Phiri, T Mombeshora, M Dikinya, A Tavarwisa, X (Nhlanhla Ncube 68th min)