The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
Bantu Rovers……………………….…………………(2) 2
Chapungu……………………………………..…………. 0
BANTU Rovers recovered from last week’s loss to Dynamos to pick up three points against Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Luveve Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Two goals in the first 14 minutes of the game were all Bantu needed to hand the airmen their first loss of the season.
Bantu wasted no chance in attacking and within 35 seconds played they were ahead when a cross from Fortune Ncube on the right flank deflected off Sizalobuhle Dube beating Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi before Obadiah Tarumbwa finished it off.
The ball, however, looked like it had already crossed the goal line when Tarumbwa blasted it into the nets but referee Mlindeli Ndebele put the former Highlanders player on the score sheet.
After the quick goal, Chapungu seemed to recover and take the game to Bantu but Tshintsha Guluva had other ideas as they struck again in the 14th minute. The home team got a throw-in on the left flank and Ncube was at hand with a long ball that found Proud Zireni in the box and his header beat Mazingi.
The rest of the match proved to be a balanced affair with possession switching between the two teams although chances at goal were very few.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino blamed complacency on the part of his boys, saying their good start to the season had deceived them to believe they were better than Bantu.
“I think the players thought it was an easy game and we let in two early silly goals and we failed to recover. After drawing against Highlanders and How Mine and beating Black Rhinos they thought it would be an easy match.
“I think it is now a lesson learnt for the boys not to underestimate any team in the league as they will pay the price,” he said.
An early substitution in the 22nd minute, bringing in Calisto Maheya for Tichaona Munyen’yeni failed to provide any sparkle for Chapungu as Bantu held on to the lead.
Bantu Rovers assistant coach Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said he was happy with the three points although the boys produced a scrappy performance throughout the match.
“We told the boys to hold on to the lead in the second half and defend if it came to the worst as we did not want to see a repeat of last week’s loss where we lost the game against Dynamos when we led for the better part of the game,” said Mpofu.
Bantu will travel out of Bulawayo for the first time since the season started when they face Shabanie Mine in their next league assignment.
Mpofu said they would prepare well for the game as Shabanie is a good side and would have home advantage.
Teams
Bantu Rovers: B Chipula, Z Ngodzo, T Hadebe, N Masuku, L Nkomo, T Kutinyu (T Magaisa, 58th), B Sikwili, O Tarumbwa, P Zireni, F Ncube, S Dube (L Nyathi 67th)
Chapungu: R Mazingi, J Mabugu, H Mugoniwa, B Mbavarira, C Kwaramba, N Murisa, T Munyen’enyi (C Maheya 22nd), G Phiri (E Chirape 46th), C Murisa (V Bangira 61st), M Mavuto, R Mhlanga.
