The Sunday News
Bantu Rovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
Casmyn FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
BANTU Rovers FC earned their first win this season in the Zifa Southern Region League with an impressive second half performance that saw them dispatch newcomers Casmyn Mine in a match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Bantu were yet to taste victory this season going into the match, having lost to ZPC Hwange and Black Boots in their two opening games.
However, yesterday, the former Premier Soccer League side secured their first three points, thanks to goals from Mkhululi Moyo and Moses Majika.
Moyo opened the score sheet with a strike from inside the box five minutes into the second half after some beautiful touches on the left flank saw Thulani Gumede’s cut in finding Moyo unmarked on the far side and he duly beat Michael Gweshe, who was in-between the posts for Casmyn.
Gweshe, who seemed clueless when it came to dealing with crosses, was again beaten on the hour mark when Talent Twala flighted in the ball from the right flank and found Majika, who coolly headed it in.
The first half was a tightly contested affair with both sides creating a number of chances but they failed to bury them.
However, Casmyn players seemed to have tired towards the end of the first half and although an onslaught by Bantu saw the home team coming up with a flurry of chances they could not find the back of the net.
To their credit, the newly promoted side did not give up despite being two goals down as they created opportunities of their own in the second half which they could not turn into goals.
Bantu Rovers coach, Johannes Ngodzo was delighted with the win, saying it will give his players the much needed confidence as they campaign for a return into the PSL.
“The win will certainly bring back the confidence to the players as we go forward and although we had been playing well in our previous games a win was eluding us,” he said.
Casmyn coach, Mduduzi Mpofu bemoaned the chances they failed to convert but praised his charges for playing well.
“It’s unfortunate our keeper failed to cut crosses as he stood on his line when the balls were coming in and this is how both goals were scored. However, I am glad we created the chances and I am sure we will do better in our next game,” he said.
Results
Wednesday: Old Nic Mine 0 – 2 Hwange Under-20
Mpumalanga 1-1 Black Boots
Yesterday: Bantu Rovers 2-0 Casmyn
Amagagasi v Black Boots postponed
Technosphere 1-2 ZPC Hwange
Bulawayo City 1-0 Trumus
Ntabazinduna 0-0 Makomo
Mpumalanga 2-1 Hwange Under 20
Fixtures today
Old Nic Mine v Indlovu Iyanyathela (Old Nic), Bulawayo Chiefs v Nust (Luveve)
