adminComing into the weekend fixtures Tripple B had a four-point advantage over “Vavheneki” as Strikers are affectionately known. Strikers failed to breach a Charles Maguraushe-marshalled Vumbachikwe defence in a nil-all draw at Forbes and Thompson Stadium.
Spurred by their multitudes of fans who were bused from the border town, the Tripple B road show continued when they clobbered a hapless Silo United 3-0 at Mbizo Stadium courtesy of goals from Lloyd Chiwaridzo, Tendai Huwa and Simon Maengeni.
Vavheneki will rue a first half penalty which they failed to convert twice when Philip Makanje’s penalty was saved by Vumbachikwe goalkeeper, Isheanesu Mutunami.
Impressive Douglas Asipo had missed on the first instance but referee Ian Thwala ordered a retake after he adjudged that Mutunami had moved from the line before Asipo shifted the responsibility to Makanje who watched in agony as the Vumbachikwe goalie made another fine save.
Vumbachikwe also had their chances which they failed to convert and Admire Hofisi was the main culprit.
However, the Gwanda side was left cursing the referee after he denied them what seemed to have been a genuine penalty after one of the visitors’ players handled in the box but Thwala waved play on.
Christopher Ndiweni, the Vumbachikwe gaffer, had no kind words for the Gwanda-based match official and accused him of deciding the outcome of the match.
“We played very well and should have collected all the points but the referee denied us a clear penalty and some of the decisions he made were questionable. The match was clearly decided by the referee and this is not good for football,” Ndiweni said.
His counterpart, Willard Khumalo described it as “a good game” and said his side was now focused on the next match against Air Force side Chapungu this coming weekend.
Chapungu reclaimed third spot when they hammered struggling army side, Tongogara 4-0 at Ascot Stadium with goals coming from hat-trick hero Norbert Zingoma and defender Charles Murisa while Whawha surprised all and sundry when they handed New Zimsteel their first defeat of the season after holding on to a first half strike to win 1-0.
Results:
Vumbachikwe 0-0 FC Strikers, Silo 0-3 Tripple B, Air Stars 1-0 Blanket Mine, Town United 3-0 Zialanda (did not turn up), Whawha 1-0 New Zimsteel, FC Platinum U19 1-0 Chrome Stars, Chapungu 4-0 Tongogara, MSU 2-2 Jessie Mine.
Online Reporter