Goals run dry at Sakubva

Ray Bande in MUTARE

Black Rhinos ......................................... 0

FC Platinum........................................... 0 FOR a venue that in the last two weeks witnessed eight goals in the Manica Diamonds’ 6-2 demolition of CAPS United, it must have felt like some drought as Black Rhinos and stuttering champions FC Platinum fired blanks at Sakubva yesterday. Although both teams exchanged raids, FC Platinum dominated in the early stages of the match and were only unlucky not to have grabbed an early goal. Nigel Makumbe, who came onto the starting line up as a late replacement for Innocent Mucheneka who was injured during warm-up, could have propelled his team into the lead after Black Rhinos goalkeeper, Blessing Mwandimutsira, had to summon all his reflexes to punch the ball to safety in response to the effort. The hosts had a fine scoring opportunity 22 minutes into the match but Ngandu Mangala failed to jump slightly high enough to connect with a cross while facing a yawning net. Although goals remained elusive for both teams in the first half, Makumbe and Panashe Mutimbanyoka gave the hosts numerous anxious moments with some neat exchanges in the third half but the visitors’ greatest undoing was their sheer lack of precision in front of goal. Rhinos also had their moments.

Chauya Chipembere went on a fiery counter attack when Eli Ilunga got the crowd in the terraces on the edge of their seats when he flighted a beautiful cross but somehow Gracious Mleya could not graciously do justice as he headed the ball just over. Both teams coaches were impressed with how their players applied themselves during the match but bemoaned the lack of precision which appears to have grown into a major problem in the Premiership.

“We played very well as a team and my players applied themselves well throughout the match but somehow we could not score.

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