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Tawanda Mangoma in TRIANGLE
Triangle………………………….(1) 1
ZPC Kariba……………………….(2) 5
ATTACKING midfielder Raphael Manuvire was in splendid form yesterday as he inspired Premiership new-boys ZPC Kariba to their biggest win after crushing hosts Triangle at Gibbo yesterday.
Saul Chaminuka’s men are enjoying a fairy-tale run as they maintained a 100 percent unbeaten run in six games courtesy of goals from Limited Chikafa, Pride Tafirenyika, Obey Mwerahari and a double from Manuvire.
Triangle, who were promoted into the top-flight football league in 2012, had never lost at home by such a big margin, but yesterday they were torn apart by the visitors with winger Manuvire displaying a man-of-the-match performance.
The hosts had started the match on a good note and they raced into the lead in the ninth minute through Courage Denias.
Triangle nearly doubled the lead in the 18th minute, but exciting winger Nhamo Lameck’s shot was saved by impressive ZPC Kariba shot-stopper Tendai Hove.
However, the visitors managed to soak the early pressure and ZPC Kariba’s first shot on target came after 22 minutes when Tawanda Nyamandwe opened fire from an acute angle inside the box.
The ball, however, was parried out for a corner-kick by Triangle goal-minder Ashley Reyners.
The visitors equalised in the 28th minute through Chikafa who headed home Manuvire’s free-kick.
They took the lead barely two minutes later through Tafirenyika who responded to a nice pass from Manuvire and unleashed a powerful shot.
The home side had a chance to hit back when ZPC defender Dexta Phiri punched the ball in the 18-yard box and Bikita-based referee Arnold Ncube awarded them a penalty.
Denias was given the task to take the penalty but his thunderbolt crashed against the upright post, making it the third penalty miss by the Sugar Sugar boys at home this season. Obey Mwerahari scored the third for ZPC Kariba before Manuvire came in with a double towards the end to put the game beyond reach.
Manuvire charged towards goal in the 82nd minute and his initiative was rewarded as he scored a beauty from an acute angle.
The attacking midfielder then hammered the final nail when he finished off a through pass threaded in by Chikafa.
Chaminuka praised his charges.
“The guys did a very good job. This win is a clear reflection of the hard work we do at training,” said Chaminuka. His counterpart Biggie Zuze said it was a disappointing day for his men.
“We lost concentration, we conceded two goals in two minutes and that’s when we lost it. The injuries however played a very big role in this defeat.
“We missed our central defender Chastern Ngondonga who is out on injury,” said Zuze.
Online Reporter