Monomotapa takes out Mambas’ fangs

Sport
By Tatenda MakandaMonomotapa (2) 3Black Mambas 0THE football Gods left Black Mambas in a lurch at Gwanzura yesterday as they were thumped by Monomotapa in their sixth defeat in 11 matches.The goals came courtesy of Makai “Jecha” Kawashu after 10 minutes, Tendai Samanja and Osborn Mukuradare on the stroke of 31 and 65 minutes respectively.

Inconsistency caught up with Mambas again as they went into the match bubbling with confidence after a 3-1 victory over Masvingo United in their midweek fixture only to come out of Gwanzura with their tails between their legs.

Monomotapa’s 3-5-2 formation was too much for Mambas, especially in the middle of the park, as Mambas were employing the 4-4-2 formation for the better part of the game. Mukuradare could have drawn first blood on eight minutes when he shot straight at Mambas keeper Learnmore Jere after taking a rebound from an initial Samanja shot in the box.

Two minutes later Samanja set up Kawashu in the box, who spiced up the beautiful cross with a clinical finish that gave Jere no chance at all to grab the lead for the home side.

Amidu Abbas’ free kick on 25 minutes just outside the box, which proved to be too much to handle for Tapiwa Mafunga in goals for Monoz was the only close shave attempt to ever come out of the Mambas fold in the first half. On 31 minutes the provider of the first goal became the recipient as the former recipient became the provider in an almost similar fashion and Samanja headed home to double the Monoz advantage. Pint-sized Monoz midfielder Brian Mapfumo went on the break after 65 minutes to set up Mukuradare just on the edge of the box. Mukuradare then shot home after taking Mambas defender Innocent Nyoni to the cleaners for pace.

Former Dynamos striker Sabastian Mutizirwa, who is now a pale shadow of his heydays, thought he had scored on 70 minutes when Mafunga spilled the ball but Brian Kutsaruware’s knee-jerk reaction on the line denied Mutizirwa.