Black Rhinos………. (3) 3 Triangle United…….. (0) 1
BY GARISH PHIRI
ARMY side Black Rhinos produced a ruthless first half performance to dent Triangle United’s top-four hopes with a convincing 3-1 victory in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Triangle were on a high after their comfortable midweek win over log leaders FC Platinum at their Gibbo fortress, their third win on the trot in their chase for a top-four finish.
Unfortunately for them, reality came calling and Rhinos were certainly not in the mood for handing out any bouquets.
After initially being put under early pressure, Black Rhinos opened the scoring against the run of play in the 15th minute after Farai Banda found himself unmarked in the penalty box to open the scoring with a fine volley.
The army side doubled their lead 12 minutes later through Augustine Mbara, who launched a blazing long-range shot into the top left corner, leaving Ronald Mudimu in goal for Triangle with no chance to stop it.
The visitors almost pulled one back in the 35th minute through a Lameck Nhamo header, but Black Rhinos goalkeeper Ashley Rayners was equal to the task as he tipped the ball over the bar.
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Triangle were made to rue the missed opportunity as Rhinos extended their lead a minute before the break after Banda set up Lot Chiunga, who found the back of the net with a floating header.
The Sugar Boys got a consolation goal in the 79th minute, courtesy of Simba Makoni who tapped in a beautiful cross from Russel Madamombe.
The goal seemed to have rejuvenated Triangle’s hopes as they sort of picked up the right tempo, but Rhinos’ defence remained solid.
Triangle coach Taurai Mangwiro bemoaned his defence’s lapses in concentration.
Black Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa was delighted with the victory as they managed to recover from a 4-1 drubbing against Herentals in last week’s mid-week fixture. “It was a good result, getting three points against a team like Triangle is not easy. They are always difficult to beat and I’m happy we managed to get the points and credit to the boys for recovering from the defeat against Herentals. It is always difficult to come back from such a defeat, but I just managed to talk to the boys and they responded well,” he said.
Teams: Black Rhinos: A Rayners, M Mukiwa, B Homora, S Jimu, F Banda (S Jimu, 90’), A Mbara, W Kapinda, T Sibanda, L Chiunga, W Taderera, D Mudadi Triangle United: R Mudimu, D Phiri (L Bakacheza, 39’), G Madamombe, K Chigwida, N Dzvinyai, T Mavhunga (A Chivandire, 47’), M Kawondera, C Dhuwa, P Bamusi (P Manhanga, 59’), P Makoni, L Nhamo
