Shabanie Mine . . . . . . (1) 2 Buffaloes . . . . . . . . … 0 SHABANIE Mine recorded a third successive win when they dismissed Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Maglas Stadium yesterday.
REPORT BY EPHRAIM SHOKO
An eighth-minute strike by the ever-improving Fungai Chirinda and a 54th minute penalty by Pervington Zimunya eased relegation worries for the Zvishavane side, who are now tied on position seven with How Mine who have 27 points.
Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere was pleased with his team’s performance and lauded his charges for putting up a spirited show to grab the three crucial points.
“I think it was a good game in which we played well and deserved to win. I am happy that the players managed to shake-off the rust from the long break,” he said.
Timothy Masachi, the Buffaloes coach, was disappointed with the result.
“I think we played well, but that penalty really changed the game for us. The penalty was the game changer because it came at a time when we were chasing an equaliser. We have to go back to the drawing board now,” Masachi said.
Shabanie Mine started the match well and looked more determined to win than their opponents.
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The home side’s determination paid off as early as the eight minute when Erea Phiri raced on the left flank before sending in a low cross which Chirinda comfortably controlled before drilling in inside the near post.
Zimunya could have made it two up for the hosts two minutes later, but watched in agony as his effort, under challenge from a Buffaloes defender grazed the cross bar.
Buffaloes picked up their game in the second half, but Jacob Muzokomba, with probably the best chance for his side, shot wide from close range with Victor Twaliki, in goal for Shabanie Mine, at his mercy.
It was Shabanie who added the second in the 54th minute from the penalty spot after Zimunya had been brought down in the box by Gerald Phiri.
