The Sunday Mail
Moffat Mungazi in Mutare
Black Rhinos…………0
Cranborne Bullets……0
A MISSED penalty kick by attacker Farai Banda blew a golden chance for Black Rhinos to consolidate their grip on pole position in Group Three when they were held by top-flight football’s newboys Cranborne Bullets in a Chibuku Super Cup battle of the soldiers at Sakubva yesterday.
With the match evenly balanced, Chauya Chipembere won the spot kick from a handball offence against the run of play on 53 minutes. Up stepped their captain Banda to send his tame effort wide of goal.
That miss came as a huge relief for Cranborne Bullets in a game in which both sides struggled for fluidity all afternoon. Even the second half substitutions could not inject life into the game as both teams lacked the creative spark in midfield and the goal scoring touch upfront.
The result leaves both sides tied on four points after two rounds of matches, having won their respective opening games last weekend. Despite the dropped points and the missed penalty by his skipper, Black Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa was happy with the result.
“Overall, I am happy with the chances we created although we failed to convert them. We also controlled the game well but could have done better in probing their goal area and cause them more problems. We take the draw and missing that penalty is all part of the game,” said Maruwa.
His counterpart Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera hailed his team’s fighting spirit.
“The boys keep doing well with each passing game. We are making progress considering that this is our first season in the top-flight league. To have taken a point off such seasoned campaigners like Black Rhinos is a clear sign that we are moving in the right direction,” said Saruchera.
