Bulawayo Chiefs beat Arenel Movers

BrandonMoyo, Sports Reporter
Bulawayo Chiefs 1-0 Arenel Movers

BULAWAYO Chiefs took a major stride in their quest to survive relegation this season following a win over fellow relegation-threatened cross-town rivals Arenel Movers at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

Migoz Svinurayi scored the only goal of the match in the ninth minute to help Amakhosi Amahle collect the much-needed three points as the battle to fight relegation heats up.

Chief head coach Thulani Sibanda took a huge sigh of relief at full time as his side had to toil for victory.

He said the three points were much welcome.

“I am very happy because this was one of the toughest games that we have played. Arenel have a lot of character and being a local derby, the players know each other, it was never going to be easy but this result is good for us in terms of fighting relegation.

“We have three tough games coming up against FC Platinum, Manica Diamonds and ZPC Kariba. These are not easy games, so these three points will take us a long way in terms of confidence and relieving pressure going into the upcoming three games,” said Sibanda.

Arenel head coach, Philani “Beefy” Ncube has accepted defeat, saying that his side is now officially relegated from the league in their first season on the topflight.

“One thing for sure, the writing was on the wall. It was not going to be easy to push the boys.

“We are now officially relegated, one thing for sure. When they scored they sat back but we had chances to also win the game but didn’t convert,” said Ncube.

In the 19th minute, Svinurayi came close to doubling Chiefs’ lead and bag a brace but his shot went just wide of the post.

Chiefs were forced to make an early change in the first half with Joe Nyabinde coming in to replace an injured Nkosilathi Ncube in the 23rd minute.

In the 26th minute, Chiefs got yet another glorious chance to make it two but Godfrey Muchenje failed to convert an unmarked header from a Bukhosi Sibanda free kick cross.

Muchenje managed to beat the offside trap, and with the keeper only left to beat, unmarked, he headed wide off goal.

Moments later, Arenel came to close to levelling matters but Dalubuhle Dlodlo could not beat Prosper Matutu in goal for Chiefs with a tap from close range.

Arenel Movers against Chicken Inn FC

Chiefs continued their search for the second and it nearly came, again, in the 43rd minute through Muchenje.

The Chiefs midfielder received a brilliant cross from Svinurayi on the right flank but his shot from inside the box went over the bar.

At the start of the second-half, Muchenje got yet another chance but instead of crossing, he went for glory and his shot hit the side netting.

Dalubuhle Dlodlo had a good chance of levelling matters but had his header go wide off goal.

Moments later, Toto Banda’s volley went wide as Arenel continued their search for an equaliser.

Reason Sibanda missed yet another glorious chance for Amakhosi after he was put through on goal.

On the hour mark, one-on-one with Aaron Ngwenya in goal for Arenel, Sibanda’s shot was saved by the lanky goal minder.

Muchenje would go on to sky another effort over the bar much to the disappointment of the Chiefs faithful, a minute after Sibanda’s miss.

In the 75th minute, Sibanda came close to doubling Chiefs’ lead but his volley from the edge of the box went just over the bar.

At the stroke of full-time, Brian Gijimani came close to breaking Amakhosi’s hearts but his shot from outside the box went over the bar.

Teams:
Bulawayo Chiefs:
Prosper Matutu (gk), Blessing Munkuli, Bukhosi Sibanda (Courage Mabhena, 87mins), Emmanuel Chikwende (Panashe Shoko, 46mins), Nkosilathi Ncube (Joe Nyabinde, 23mins), Lucky Ndlela, Godfrey Muchenje, Jameson Masaza, Robert Kwaramba, Reason Sibanda, Migoz Svinurayi (Leeroy Ndlovu, 75mins).

Arenel:
Aaron Ngwenya (gk), Gabriel Dlodlo, Dalubuhle Dlodlo (Adonice Nyoni, 78mins), Brian Gijimani, Polite Mwenda, Grant Chigwenhese, Brian Jaravaza (Cephas Makwasha, 78mins), Njabulo Ngwenya (Lucky Nyathi, 48mins), Chrispen Machisi (Andreas Chituma,60mins), Toto Banda, Andrew Tandi. – @brandon_malvin