BLACK RHINOS . . . . . . . . .(1) 1 CHAPUNGU . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 0
SYDNEY Linyama’s first half header made the difference as returnees Black Rhinos downed fellow army side Chapungu in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
The former Dynamos defender, who is enjoying a new lease of life at Rhinos after his troubled stay at the Harare giants ended unceremoniously last year, rose the highest to nod home Farai Banda’s freekick in the first half and handed his team its first set of three points.
The 2016 Nothern Region Division One champions lost their first match to Ngezi Platinum by an identical scoreline last week.
Coach Stanford “Stix” Mutizwa showered praise on Linyama.
“Sydney is playing very well. His experience is very much needed. Concerning his history of indiscipline, I want to say the army is the master at getting a person into discipline. If we fail to discipline him then he will never be a disciplined player,” he said.
The visiting team’s coach, Tendai Chikuni, had no complaints about the defeat, but had a mouthful to say about the delaying tactics employed by the homeside’s ball boys in the second half.
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“I can’t complain, we are playing away from home, so we cannot press the panic button. We are in the process of building a strong team made up of youngsters. I wasn’t happy with the situation where people hide the ball. We came here to play for 90 minutes, not 70 minutes, it’s really sad,” he said.
Black Rhinos dominated the first half in terms of chances created although Chapungu had the better of possession.
Rhinos striker Yamikani Salima was denied by goalkeeper Roy Mazingi from point blank after his goal-bound snap shot from inside the box was pushed out for a corner in the 28th minute.
Midfielder Cliff Chitsamba missed a simple tap in a couple of minutes later, but Rhinos’ fortunes changed when Jameson Mukombwe was fouled in a dangerous place four minutes before the break.
Banda’s swinging set piece was met at the back post by Linyama, who made no mistake.
Chikuni made a triple substitution early in the second half, bringing in Brighton Mugoni, Blessing Musahondo and Allan Tavarwisa, but found the Rhinos defence unyielding.
Chapungu’s day was summed up when Tavarwira hopelessly flashed his effort wide after a very good build up right before the end of the match.
TEAMS:
Black Rhinos – H Rusawo, J Mukombwe, F Banda, B Homora, S Linyama, W. Kapinda, D Mudadi, C Chitsamba (A Trevor 58’), L. Saramaya, B Marere, Y Salima (L Chiwunga 63’)
Chapungu – R Mazingi, C Mativenga, R Sibanda, B Zabula, C Kwaramba (c) , L Genti, I Nyoni, X Ncube (B Musahondo 58’), K Bingala (B Mugoni 58’), N Papias (A Tavarwisa 58’), T Chitora
