BUFFALOES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0)1 DONGO SAWMILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
Clive Kawinga scored a last minute penalty to help army side Buffaloes complete a double over Dongo Sawmills in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer league derby match at Sakubva Stadium on Thursday.
In the reverse fixture, the Saul Chaminuka-coached side beat Dongo Sawmills by a similar score line at Vengere Stadium.
Thursday’s match had all the ingredients of a derby, after three penalties were awarded, with Buffaloes getting two.
The visitors’ defender Dereck Chitsanzira handled inside his box in the 38th minute and Rusape-based referee Brighton Chimene did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Impressive Dongo Sawmills shot stopper Forward Pfumojena dived to the right denying left winger Farai Banda.
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The drama did not end there, as Dongo Sawmills were awarded their own penalty in the 67th minute by Chimene after defender Takunda Jefferey had handled inside his box . It was Buffaloes goalkeeper Chengetai Tandadzayi’s turn to deny Physwell Madhanzi a goal.
Dongo Sawmills’ world crumbled in the 89th minute when their playmaker Kudzanayi Mangondo handled inside his box and Chimene had no choice, but to award Buffaloes their second penalty of the afternoon. Up stepped the former Dynamos player, Kawinga, who kept his cool and slotted the ball home.
Chaminuka conceded that the match had all the ingredients of a derby before saluting his boys for playing with determination.
“Both teams took a cautious approach. It was a game of penalties and it’s normal in a derby. Three penalties in a game, that is football. But l am happy with my team’s performance. The win will help us to end the season where we want to be. We want to end the season a high note,” he said.
Dongo Sawmills assistant coach, Dananai Chinowawa rued the missed penalty.
“Our goalkeeper did well for us, but we should have won the game if we had scored the penalty, this could have changed the complexion of the game,” he said.
