The Sunday Mail
Ray Bande in Mutare
Manica Diamonds…..(1) 2
Black Rhinos…………..(0) 1
MANICA Diamonds coach Johanisi Nhumwa heaved a huge sigh of relief after his team dismissed a determined Black Rhinos to collect their first set of points in a Chibuku Super Cup tie at Sakubva yesterday.
Until yesterday, the miners, who were still smarting from last weekend’s 1-2 derby defeat at the hands of cross town rivals Tenax FC, were the only team without a point in Group Three.
The Gem Boys might have grabbed the all-important points but their performance was far from convincing.
In fact, the Harare army side were just unlucky not to have won or even restored parity after dominating the greater part of the encounter.
Manica Diamonds unsettled their opponents with an early goal after Rhinos’ Tawanda Chisi hacked down a goal-bound Emmanuel Chingondi and exciting Marshal Mudehwe made no mistake as he curled the resultant free-kick into the bottom corner.
Impressive Black Rhinos player Leeroy Murape almost restored parity in the 27th minute when he did well to beat an off line Manica Diamonds’ goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo with a hard and low shot that missed the target by some inches.
In the 70th minute, diminutive Charles Teguru made a mockery of the value of height when he jumped high to double Manica Diamonds’ lead with a deceiving header while sandwiched by lanky Rhinos defenders.
Rhinos got their consolation through Ashward Phiri.
Nhumwa was naturally happy with the taste of victory.
“It feels good to start collecting points. We were playing well and creating chances but somehow failed to score.
“When you start scoring it is encouraging and I am really happy with the result. I hope we will be able to build on this victory going into the remaining group stage matches,’’ Nhumwa said.
Rhinos coach Hebert Maruwa felt his side did not deserve to come out empty-handed.
“It is unfortunate that we lost but we played well. At the end of the day that is part of the game of football.
“We are looking forward to the remaining matches of the competition with the aim of getting back to our winning ways,’’ Maruwa said.
