Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . (1) 1 Black Mambas . . . . . . . (1) 2
Black Mambas moved out of the relegation zone after dismissing Shabanie Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Maglas yesterday which ended with the hosts’ fans baying for the head of coach Arnold Jani.
Goals in either half by Chimbadzwa Kasimero and Luckson Kaisa carried the day for Mambas while Tarisai Rukanda was on target for the hosts.
It was a bad day in office for Jani who had to face angry fans who blocked the exit of the dressing room calling for him to step down. Police had to be called in to save the situation, dispersing the angry fans.
The result propelled Mambas from 14th position to 11th although they are not safe from relegation. It was also sweet victory for the police side who asserted their dominance after thumping Shabanie Mine 5-1 in the reverse fixture at Morris Depot.
Jani said after the match: “We played very well, but we missed scoring opportunities which we could have easily converted. We will work hard in the next games to make sure we are not relegated.”
An elated Mambas coach John Ncube saluted his midfield for carrying the day.
“I am very happy with the performance by my guys. We were much stronger in the midfield where we neutralised aerial balls which Shabanie relied on. We read them in the first match we played that they use long balls and we managed to contain them on that.
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“We don’t want to return to the relegation zone, so we have to work harder in the upcoming matches,” Ncube said.
The policemen drew first blood in the 18th minute when Kasimero unleashed a shot which gave a diving goalkeeper Roy Mazingi no chance.
The goal prompted a predictable response from Shabanie who restored parity five minutes later when Rukanda headed in a corner kick from Tawanda Mareya. Kayisa then sealed victory for Mambas in the 63rd minute after coming to the end of a Kasimero cross.
The home side could have cancelled Mambas’ lead with 14th minutes remaining after winning an indirect free kick after Lovemore Maphuya had brought down Rukanda, but Caleb Masocha skied his effort.
