Triangle register first win of season
Bulawayo City FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1 Triangle United FC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2 TRIANGLE United came from behind to beat Bulawayo City with two second half goals, earning their first victory of the season to ease the pressure on coach, Taurai Mangwiro.
Bulawayo City opened the score sheet with a goal from Mkhululi Moyo while Triangle replied with goals from James Chivasa and substitute Lameck Nhamo in the Castle Lager tie played at Barbourfields yesterday. Pressure had been mounting on Mangwiro as his side went for five matches without a win and after the match he revealed the win came at the right time and hopes it will be a conviction that he is the right man for the job.
“We needed the win to convince everyone that we know what we are doing. A loss today could have strengthened the dissenting voices those that feel we are not doing enough and I am happy today we won.
“What we need now is to make a follow up win at home and convince our own fans that we are the right people for the job and hopefully pressure players feel when playing at home will ease,” he said.
The match was a balanced affair with the home side taking control of the first half, dominating possession and were duly rewarded in the 24th minute when Moyo received the ball on the left flank and traversed through Triangle defenders on the edge of the box before releasing a shot that beat Ronald Mudimu, who was guarding the visitors’ goal posts.
Triangle clawed back into the game towards the breather and were nearly rewarded with a goal but an unmarked Tendai Huwa headed wide in the last touch of the first half.
The visitors came back a more purposeful side and were immediately rewarded three minutes after the break when Chivasa received a long pass and his shot beat Bulawayo City goalkeeper, Liberty Chirava, hit the upright and went in. Substitute Lameck Nhamo grabbed the winner in the 63rd minute when he latched on to rebound off a Ralph Kawondera shot that had been blocked by Chirava securing the three points for the Sugar boys.
Moyo was outstanding for City as he tormented the Triangle defence but his efforts proved futile while substitute Russell Madamombe changed the game’s complexion ensuring Triangle create chances.
Bulawayo City coach, Mandla “Lulu” Mpofu said it was a disappointing result as they should have done better and they failed to tactically reorganise in the second half and counter the impact Madamombe was making on the pitch.
He however, said the loss would not demoralise them as it was still early days and there were many games ahead.
Teams Bulawayo City: L Chirava, M Kadzola, N Mukumbi, M Mungadze, R Pavari, B Ncube (H Ncube, 68th), H Masuku (T Ndlovu, 53rd), M Moyo, M Dube (I Kutsanzira, 82nd) Triangle United: R Mudimu, D Phiri, D Dzvinyai, K Chigwida, G Zhokinyi, R Kawondera, T Huwa, H Mavundi, D Chirambamurivo (R Madamombe, 32nd), T Rukanda (L Nhamo, 55th), J Chivasa (S Alimenda, 78th)