adminOscar Rusenga in Chiredzi
Chiredzi FC 0-1 Triangle United FC
TRIANGLE United edged Chiredzi to claim the bragging rights in a Lowveld derby completing a double in a Castle Lager Premiership match played at Chishamiso yesterday.
Triangle won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Gibbo courtesy of a Nhamo Lameck hat-trick and showed that they were on a mission as it took them only four minutes to register their first goal.
It was again the dreadlocked Lameck who engineered an attack that ended up in a goal, combining well with Praise Tonha and Nelson Merson, before crossing for Richard Kawondera who placed the ball into the nets.
Triangle were the better side throughout the first half with Cabby Kamhapa and Tinashe Chipunza stabilising things in midfield for Triangle. Chiredzi never threatened and did not take even a single shot on goal. Kamhapa got the first real chance in the second stanza but he directed his header off target after a brilliant Tonha cross in the 51st minute. From there on the chances were few and far between as the game became a physical affair.
Chiredzi coach Gishon Ntini made a tactical change bringing in young winger Marlvin Gaki who caused all sorts of problems on the flanks, combining well with lanky striker Tawanda Muyendi.
Their hard work however failed to produce a result and it was Triangle who almost doubled their lead but Kawondera failed to connect Brian Juwayeyi’s pinpoint low cross in the 80th minute.
The visitors had another great opportunity to add another goal at the death of the second half when substitute Blessing Maziwisa raced half length of the pitch to square a ball to another substitute Hillary Bakacheza who missed with Chiredzi goalkeeper Steven Chimusoro a beaten man.
Ntini was furious after the game and alleged that Triangle did not play well but were helped by external forces.
“Triangle have all the resources and they must channel those resources towards developing football here in the Lowveld not playing dirty games,” alleged Ntini. Biggie Zuze, who was sitting next to technical advisor Kelvin Kaindu on the bench for the first time since the appointment of the Zambian, was happy with the three points that took his season’s tally to 37.
“Some can call it a sweet victory but to me it was like any other game although it was a derby. We got an early goal and defended well to the end. Our focus now is on the last and very important game against Shabanie and we hope for the best,” said Zuze.
Teams
Chiredzi: S Chimusoro, M Muneri (K Nyamupfukudza 72nd minute), D Sengu, D Bakali, G Kwaramba, M Chinembeza, T Mutete (M Gaki 53rd minute), T Muyendi, S. Msimbu, T Ndlovu, T Kanyemba
Triangle: R Mudimu, P Tonha, N Menson, J Tigere, W Mapfumo, T Chipunza, C Kamhapa, B Juwayeyi, F Kuswatuka, R Kawondera, N Lameck (H Bakacheza 69th minute)
Online Reporter