The Sunday Mail
Oscar Rusenga in Chiredzi
Chiredzi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)0
Bantu Rovers. . . . . . . . . . . . (1)1
BANTU ROVERS are daring to dream of avoiding the relegation axe after dispatching an equally troubled Chiredzi FC, to claim their fifth set of maximum points, at Chishamiso yesterday.
An eighth minute strike from veteran forward Obadiah Tarumbwa carried the day for the visitors whose assistant coach Mandla Mpofu spoke of a possible great escape after the final whistle.
“It’s a very good result after a long time without a win. With the chances we created I think we could have scored more but we are happy with the three points and we will keep on working hard in our survival mission”, said Mandla.
Before a small crowd both sides started the game slowly but Tarumbwa made the difference when he beat the offside trap to collect a clever pass from Lineance Mpofu before driving a low shot into the left corner.
Chiredzi striker Trevor Ndlovu tested Bantu goal minder Takunda Mutanga with a ferocious shot from an acute angle but the goalie proved equal to the task.
Lineance Mpofu then spurned two gilt edged chances inside the 21st minute as Bantu Rovers threatened from all angles.
The visitors continued to dominate in the second half and Tarumbwa almost doubled his tally on the hour mark when he broke the Chiredzi defence with a quick exchange of passes but the former Highlanders man shot straight at an advancing Simon Kafitire in goals for the hosts.
Chiredzi head coach Gishon Ntini conceded that Premiership life is slowly being choked out of his team.
“We played well but we were just unfortunate, we could have wrapped up the game in the first half but missed our chances. “Football is a game of chances and they were clinical with the chance they got.
“We will keep on playing and see what happens but it’s not a secret that our survival chances are fading away”, said Ntini.
Teams
Chiredzi FC: Simon Kafitire, Durban Bakali, Munashe Chinembeza, David Sengu, Gift Kwaramba, Tawanda Mpungu, Shingirai Tsuro (Kudzai Nyamupfukudza 50minutes), Tawanda Muyendi, Trevor Ndlovu (Marlvin Gaki 67minutes), Sam Msimbu (Bruce Kaseke 80minutes), Tatenda Kanyemba
