The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 2
Chiredzi FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Problems mounted for winless Moses “Bambo” Chunga after his battling Chiredzi FC side went down albeit in controversial circumstances in a tightly contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Rimuka Stadium yesterday. Chiredzi FC will feel robbed by referee Ruzive Ruzive whose decision to give Black Rhinos the second goal in the 39th minute, when it was clear the ball did not cross the goal line, should have drawn the ire of the millions of viewers watching the game on Supersport across the continent.
With the game clawing towards a half-time draw after Chiredzi FC’s Sam “Sister” Msimbu had cancelled a Walter Chakanyuka penalty strike, Ruzive committed a horrible mistake which in the end cost the visitors a vital away point.
Chiredzi FC defender David Bakali, the villain earlier in the game when he handled in the box, thought he had turned hero when he scooped a Beavan Chikaka header off the line, only to be shocked when Ruzive blew to give a goal.
Television replays clearly showed that Chikaka’s effort had not crossed the line and Chiredzi FC’s late surge in search of an equaliser, spurred on by the introduction of the veteran Rowan Nenzou, proved fruitless as they found the Black Rhinos defensive duo of Bruce Homora and skipper Shadreck Jimu resolute.
The result pushes Black Rhinos to six points out of a possible 12, not a bad start for a team that survived relegation on the last day last season while for Chunga and his men from Chiredzi, it is back to the drawing board again as they remain winless after four rounds of action.
Chiredzi FC, touted by many pundits during the run up to the 2014 season, mainly because of the presence of Bambo on the technical bench, have managed a single point that came, courtesy of a season-opening 1-1 home draw with FC Platinum.
For Black Rhinos, the only worry was that of a potential serious rib injury to second half substitute and Warriors trialist Lot Chiwunga who was caught by Abel Gwatidzo’s high boot.
Sadly, Chiwunga was pulled out just eight minutes after he had been introduced for Chikaka, scorer of the controversial winner, with the more defensive-minded Brian Muzondiwa coming on to add more shield to the Rhinos backline.
