CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League side Buffaloes recorded a morale-boasting victory ahead of their top-of-the-table showdown against Highlanders on Sunday after crushing fellow army side Black Rhinos 4-1 at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.
REPORT BY KENNETH NYANGANI
The army team cemented their third position on the log standings with 15 points from seven matches, just a point behind log leaders FC Platinum and second-placed Highlanders, who have 16 points each although the later enjoys a superior goal difference.
Buffaloes dominated possession in the first period and they were first to come off the blocks in the 12th minute but Rhinos goalie Samuel Mafukidze did well to stop Buffaloes striker Tawanda Mareya’s shot from a close range.
The Mutare-based army side took the lead in the 41st minute when exciting attacking midfielder Roy Mwenga glided past a cluster of Rhinos defenders before feeding Jacob Muzokomba to slot home.
After the break, the aging Lazarus Muhoni, who came in for Marshal Mudehwe, almost equalised in the 46th minute with his first touch when he tapped the ball over the bar with only Chengetai Tandadzayi to beat.
Rhinos then equalised in the 63rd minute through Trust Machacha who benefited from a Lot Chiunga cross.
But things changed in the last six minutes of the game with Buffaloes taking the lead through Phillip Chandisaita’s scrambled effort from a corner.
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Muzokomba completed his brace in the 86th minute before Steven Sibanda managed to beat the offside trap to tap the ball home with only Rhinos goalie Mafukidze at his disposal.
Buffaloes assistant coach Sicho Masachi was ecstatic with the win.
“It was an exciting game and I am happy with my players because they managed to perform well. We also showed the nation that we are the top army side in the country.”
His counterpart Nesbert Saruchera blamed the defeat on poor defending.
“Our defending was pathetic, we conceded silly goals and this is not good at all,” he said.
At Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo, How Mine moved into fifth place with a 1-0 win over Motor Action, thanks to an own goal from Mighty Bulls defender Passmore Bernard.
