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Ray Bande in Rusape
Dongo Sawmill . . …(0) 0

Buffaloes . . . . . . . . .(0) 1BUFFALOES coach Joseph ‘Shaba’ Takaringofa heaved a huge sigh of relief after his 10-men powered to a slender victory over basement outfit Dongo Sawmill in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Vengere.

Interestingly, this was the first Premiership derby for Manicaland in post independent Zimbabwe and more importantly for the Mutare side, it was their first triumph of the season.

Typical of a derby, the match started off at an electric pace with both teams exchanging raids but somehow lacked precision in front of goal.

Buffaloes were left with 10 men on the field after striker Lloyd Katongomara was sent for an early shower for a needless clumsy challenge on Kelvin Katandika in the 29th minute.

Former Mutare City Rovers midfielder Never Tigere could have propelled Dongo into the lead in the 34th minute when he released a thunderbolt from just outside the box but an alert Blessing Mwandimutsira summoned his reflexes to parry the ball out for a corner.

Buffaloes played second fiddle for the greater part of the second half.

With only the goalkeeper Mwandimutsira to beat in the 75th minute, Dongo’s second half substitute Blessing Dzumbunu instead of simply placing the ball put too much power and his effort sailed over.

The Mutare soldiers grabbed what turned out to be the winner in the 80th minute when ageing midfielder Shepherd Nkhata got to the end of a beautiful cross from Jacob Muzokomba and neatly toe-poked the ball into the net from close range.

Takaringofa said the win against Dongo will certainly boost their confidence ahead of their match against CAPS United on Sunday.

“It feels nice to collect maximum points especially considering that we were playing away from home and this was also more of a derby. I have no doubt that we will move forward with all the confidence. We are now looking ahead to the match against CAPS United with the hope of collecting maximum points again at home,” said Takaringofa.

Dongo gaffer Shadreck ‘Father’ Mugurasave blamed their fourth defeat at home on poor defending.

“I really cannot tell how we lost this match. I think it was all because of the defensive blunder that we made and gifted Buffaloes the priceless goal. We just have to go back to the drawing board and see how best we can move forward to avoid relegation,” he said.

Teams:

Dongo Sawmill: F. Pfumojena; K. Katandika; D. Maneya; K. Chideu; E. Chikwaikwai; D. Chitsanzara; S. Sithole (49th minute); D. Coutinho (C. Dhuwa 82nd minute); N. Tigere (L. Jesi 64th minute); E. Stephen: L. Masibera:

Buffaloes: B. Mwandimutsira; K. Mwaramba; L. Chakoroma; P. Chandisaita; S. Nkhata; T. Jefrey; L. Katongomara; J. Muzokomba (A. Dzumbunu 87th minute); R. Mwenga (V. Makaha 54th minute); K. Mangondo: