The Sunday News
Chiredzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Bantu Rovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)1
BANTU Rovers are daring to dream of avoiding the relegation axe after dispatching an equally troubled Chiredzi to claim their fifth set of maximum points in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League played at Chishamiso Stadium in Chiredzi yesterday.
An eighth minute strike from veteran forward Obadiah Tarumbwa carried the day for the visitors whose assistant coach Mandla Mpofu spoke of a possible great escape after the final whistle.
“It’s a very good result after a long time without a win. With the chances we created I think we could have scored more but we are happy with the three points and we will keep on working hard in our survival mission,’’ said Mpofu.
Before a small crowd both sides started the game slowly but Tarumbwa made the difference when he beat the offside trap to collect a clever pass from Lenience Mpofu before driving a low shot into the left corner.
Chiredzi striker Trevor Ndlovu tested Bantu goal minder Takunda Mutanga with a ferocious shot from an acute angle but the goalkeeper was equal to the task.
Mpofu then spurned two gilt edged chances inside the 21st minute as Bantu Rovers threatened from all angles.
The visitors continued to dominate in the second half and Tarumbwa almost doubled his tally on the hour mark when he broke the Chiredzi defence with a quick exchange of passes but the former Highlanders man shot straight at an advancing Simon Kafitire in goals for the hosts.
Chiredzi head coach Gishon Ntini conceded that Premiership life is slowly being choked out of his team.
“We played well but we were just unfortunate, we could have wrapped up the game in the first half but we missed our chances. Football is a game of chances and they were clinical with the chance they got. We will keep on playing and see what happens but it’s not a secret that our survival chances are fading away,’’ said Ntini.
Meanwhile, young Walter Musona once again showed his worth as he inspired FC Platinum to a win over Harare City at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Musona opened the scoring in the first half before Donald Ngoma sealed the points late into the game to hand the visitors their ninth win of the season.
Musona’s combination with the inform Obrey Chirwa caused Harare City some anxious moments and FC Platinum could have ended the match with a healthier lead were it not for some poor shooting on their part.
However, Coach Norman Mapeza was thrilled to see his charges take their points tally to 38, just one less than fourth placed Highlanders who are away to Caps United this afternoon.
Having taken over at a time when confidence was low at the miners following a lean spell under Lloyd Mutasa the respected coach appears to be slowly turning FC Platinum into a team that plays “attractive and effective football.”
At Gwanzura Stadium ZPC Kariba shot to the top of the log when they beat Triangle.
A fluke goal by man-of-the-match Pride Tafirenyika at the end of the first half saw the stubborn Premiership debutants eclipse defending champions Dynamos at the top of the log standings.
The Kariba based side, who missed the services of consistent goalkeeper Tendai Hove due to injury, now enjoy a point’s advantage over DeMbare who face Moses Chunga’s Buffaloes at Sakubva this afternoon.
PSL Results
Chicken Inn 2, Black Rhinos 0; Chiredzi 0, Bantu Rovers 1;
ZPC Kariba 1, Triangle 0; Harare City 1 FC Platinum 2
