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From Liberty Dube in Mutare
Buffaloes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1) 3
Harare City . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . (1) 2
LLOYD Katongomara’s superb volley in the 90th minute ensured a well-deserved victory for Buffaloes against a rejuvenated Harare City side in a Castle Premier Soccer League match at Sakubva yesterday. It was quite a relief for coach Moses “Bambo” Chunga’s side who last collected maximum points against Triangle a month ago. The army side could have won this match by a decent margin had their blunt strike-force, led by Jacob Muzokomba, utilised all the chances that came their way.
It was, however, a tale of missed chances by both teams with Harare City’s Francisco Zekumbawira being the villain of the day.

The Sunshine Boys drew first blood in the 15th minute after midfielder James Jam utilised from a Buffaloes defensive mix-up and scored an easy goal after he received a pass from the exciting midfielder Chawapiwa Talent.

The wounded army side, affectionately known as Watungwa Watungwa, quickly re-grouped and their hard work paid off five minutes later when Admire Dzumbunu equalised for them in the 20th minute through a set-piece.

Harare City goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu was the busier of the two shot-stoppers in the first half of the game and made some fine saves.
Former Monomotapa FC striker Osborne Mukuradare got in for Martin Vengesai in the 40th minute after the latter suffered an injury.

Their opponents Buffaloes also lost influential defender Liberty Chakoroma after he slipped and sustained an injury just before half-time.
After the breather, Buffaloes’ strikers missed a glut of clear-cut chances, the notable one being in the 58th minute after Dzumbunu received a pass from right-back Moses Gutu. The evergreen Gutu, who was exciting all day, played himself to a standstill but was let down by inconsistent strike-force which lacked concentration.

Buffaloes scored their second goal in the 65th minute through Muzokomba after he received a splendid pass from Prosper “Zhakie” Matizanadzo. From then on, Harare City started attacking from all angles.

Buffaloes relaxed and their lethargic performance in the last 15 minutes of the match backfired after substitute Osborne Mukuradare fired home a brilliant goal, utilising from Tafadzwa Mombeshora and Matizanadzo howler.

The two Buffaloes players failed to communicate and Mukuradare took advantage of the communication breakdown and equalised for Harare City.
The goal rather infuriated the army side who desperately needed a win in front of their impatient home supporters.

They started gaining possession and attacking relentlessly; and in the 90th minute, Buffaloes striker and former Black Rhinos goal-poacher Kastigu Zhuwakinyu dribbled past two Harare City defenders and passed the ball to Katongomara who unleashed a thunderbolt, leaving City goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu a well beaten man.

While Chunga was a relieved man after the hard-fought win, his counterpart Masimba Dinyero blamed the match officials for bias officiating as well as the bumpy pitch.
“We were robbed by the match officials. Our player Martin Vengesai was injured because of Buffaloes recklessness but noone was booked. However, my players did well under the circumstances but failed to utilise a glut of chances that came their way,” said Dinyero.

Chunga was a satisfied man after the result.
“It was going to be difficult if we had lost this match. At least we are drifting away from the relegation zone.
Our defenders made a lot of blunders and we will work on that,” said the nomadic gaffer.
Buffaloes now have 36 points and are eyeing finishing in the top eight.