The Sunday Mail
Mukudzei Chingwere in Gweru
Nichrut FC …………………………. 0
Triangle United……………………..1
NICHRUT coach John Nyikadzino was pleasantly surprised by his side’s performance after a narrow defeat at the hands of Triangle United at Ascot yesterday.
Mashurugwi did not have the best of preparations prior to the game, only training a day before the match, and with the club leadership mulling withdrawal from the elite division in protests over a fine they were slapped with by the league authorities for crowd trouble. But that they never trained for the whole week was barely visible when the team walked onto the field of play.
The sugarcane growers were made to work for maximum points with Trevor Mavhunga heading the winner after the breather.
The result means Triangle retain third place on the log standings with 29 points from 16 matches.
For their part Nichrut remain on 13 points after 16 rounds of matches, and managed to put a smile on their coach’s face.
“I am pleasantly surprised by the way these boys played today, especially considering the boys did not have adequate preparations.
“But whatever happened during the week as a coach I am responsible with what happens in the field of play.
“The results are not good and we need to improve our position on the log.
“The same problem continue to haunt us and that is we are creating chances and converting those that come. We are still working on scoring and I am sure the guys will soon find their scoring touch,” said Nyikadzino.
As expected the visitors were the first to settle into the game and started dictating the rhythm of the game.
Unfortunately, they failed to create any meaningful chances at goal.
After the breather they scraped the lead when Pascal Manhanga flighted a corner that was headed home by Mavhunga.
The host almost responded immediately through a Farai Vimisayi free-kick but his effort was just inches over the crossbar.
Triangle United coach Taurai Mangwiro was happy with maximum points, lauding his charges for not being complacent after their impressive victory against Dynamos.
“After winning against Dynamos I told my players that we did not need to seat on that victory and I am happy today we executed our game plan very well.
“In the end we scored from a set piece which was enough to see us through.
“I am happy to have got all the three points today our target is to open the gap between us and those below us as well as to catch up with Highlanders above us,” said Mangwiro.
TEAMS
Nichrut FC: T. Jabangwe, G. Bhero, T. Hapazari, B. Sibanda, S. Sithole (A. Kanchwachwa, 71 min), F. Vimisayi, D. Boriondo, N. Mpinduki, B. Madanire, E. Mwinga (T. Taruvinga, 69min), F. Bushiri.
Triangle: T. Chilenga, R. Kawondera (T. Mugoniwa 21min), R. Mhlanga (G. Zhokinyu, 77min), K. Chigwida, D. Dzvinyai, T. Mavhunga, P. Manhanga, C. Dhuwa, R. Madamombe (D. Chirambamurivo, 90min), P. Bamusi, L. Nhamo.
