Anolle Castings eye top eight

ANOLLE Castings convincingly beat title contenders Rebels 4-2 in the Edgars Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (Bafa) League game at the Barbourfields Stadium outside grounds yesterday.

A brace by Mtshumayeli Ndlovu and a goal apiece from Talefang Nyathi and Forward Shaya secured maximum points for Castings, while Rebels got their goals through Basil Bhebhe and Charles Phiri.

After an exciting period in which both sides showed some promise, Castings took the lead 10 minutes into the match. Nyathi received a pass on the right side, broke through the Rebels’ defence and went for goal, beating goalkeeper Brian Bhebhe.

Rebel equalised in the 27th minute through Basil, who unleashed a shot from the edge of the Castings’ box.

However, Castings reclaimed the lead in the 38th minute through a Shaya penalty after Ngqabutho Nyoni had handled in the box following a mix-up in the Rebels’ penalty box. Shaya made no mistake, sending Brian the wrong way.

Castings came back from the break more determined and were duly rewarded in the 49th minute when Mtshumayeli headed home a Leroy Ndlovu cross.

Mtshumayeli completed his brace in the 67th minute when he volleyed home Owen Matereke’s cross. Rebel’s Charles Phiri reduced the deficit in the 78th minute, but could not find further openings.

Castings’ coach Jonas Tembo said their main focus now was to finish in the top eight.

“If we can manage to achieve this, it will be a huge achievement for us this season. With these four remaining matches, we will go into every match with the same mentality of collecting all three points. It won’t be easy because we have to face tough teams, but we will do our best,” Tembo said.

In other matches, United FC were awarded three points after Eleven Warriors failed to turn up for their game.

The clash between Laduma FC and SBC Falcons was postponed, as Laduma were attending a funeral following the passing away of their president in a road accident in South Africa.