The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho ………………………………………… 0
Triangle United ……………………………….. (0) 1
TRIANGLE recorded their second consecutive victory when they overpowered a stubborn Tsholotsho in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Luveve Stadium yesterday. A second half goal by striker Malvin Gaki made sure that Triangle, who defeated Highlanders 2-1 last Sunday make the 420km journey back home with three points in the bag. They have now gone for five matches without tasting defeat. The win, an eighth for the season took the Sugar Sugar Boys to fourth spot with 30 points, three ahead of Dynamos and just a point away from Highlanders in third place.
Triangle coach David “Yogi” Mandigora was delighted with the win away from home since it had been a while since they achieved that. He pointed out that with the team carrying a big brand, expectations are that they pick up maximum points all the time they take to the park.
“I am very happy to get three points away from home since it has been a long time since we have done that and also winning two games in a row is very good for us. I think now we are in a respectable position. It is important to keep on getting points because they are very difficult to get in this competition as the league is very tough. Triangle is representing a very big brand so we are always expected to protect that brand and get as many points as we can,’’ said Mandigora.
Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe felt that that they lost the match because they could not take advantage of the opportunities they created particularly in the first 10 minutes of the match. He attributed the departure of some of the key players for the team’s continued struggles. Despite the team still second from bottom, Sweswe is still confident of survival.
Tsholotsho bombarded the Triangle goal in the opening 10 minutes but all that counted for nothing as they failed to punish the visitors. Triangle were forced into a 23rd minute substitution, defender Guthrie Zhokinyi was pulled out to be replaced by Nathan Ziwini after clashing heads with Tsholotsho midfielder Bruno Madanhire who continued after being bandaged.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Tsholotsho could have had the lead when Madanhire was put clear of goal only to kick the turf instead of the ball with his left foot resulting in a weak effort which did not cause any problems for Ronald Mudimu.
Gaki hit the side netting in injury time from a cross delivered by Derwin Phiri as the two teams went into the break deadlocked.
Triangle came into the second half a better side with midfielder Marvellous Mukumba behind most of their raids at the Tsholotsho goal. Mukumba was put through in the 54th minute but Tsholotsho goalkeeper Godwins Saungweme was alert to thwart the search for a goal.
Kudzai Chigwida, the Triangle defender could have been sent off in the 57th minute for elbowing Tsholotsho striker Collins Dhuwa in the face but referee Zibusiso Nkomo only showed him a yellow card. While Dhuwa was being attended to on the field of play, Chigwida could be overheard celebrating his transgression saying haadzoki (he is not coming back). Luckily, Dhuwa who seemed to have briefly lost consciousness returned to the field a few minutes after.
The goal came in the 65th minute, a cross sent into the box where an unchallenged Gaki fired past Saungweme. Four minutes later, Dhuwa could not draw level, his effort going over the bar. Substitute Courage Denias could have doubled Triangle’s lead but Saungweme did well to block his effort.
Nelson Meson was denied by some brilliant goalkeeping by Saungweme 10 minutes before the end. — @Mdawini_29
