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Oscar Rusenga in Triangle

Triangle United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (1)1

Herentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (0)0

A SOLITARY goal from Emmaculate Mawuna was enough to hand Triangle maximum points when the Lowveld-based side edged Herentals in a  Castle Lager Premiership football match at Gibbo yesterday.

The match was evenly balanced for most parts of the first half but Triangle had their breakthrough in the 33rd minute. 

Mawuna scored a beautiful goal from six yards out, controlling and wrong-footing the entire Herentals defence and the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net after a perfect cross from Mathew Hlabati, who played in place of captain Donald Ngoma, who tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

Herentals had a chance to equalise on the cusp of half-time from a set-piece but deadball specialist Collins Mujuru only saw his effort miss target by a few inches.

Gerald Bhero had a chance to double the home side’s lead 10 minutes into the second half but he was slow to pull the trigger as Mujuru put his body on the line to block the effort from the pint-sized speedy winger.

Herentals head coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva made a tactical substitution just before the hour mark, introducing Blessing Majarira and Prince Chama, and the trick almost paid dividends as John Zhuwawo found an opening to shoot but his snapshot was well saved by Chitsumba in the 60th minute.

The Students pushed for an equaliser but Triangle remained resolute with their defence, well-marshalled by Tawanda Chisi and Kelvin Gwao, made sure they kept a clean sheet.

Triangle coach Jairos Tapera was happy his charges managed to collect maximum points at home against a stubborn Herentals side.

“I am very happy with the way we applied ourselves tactically. We were a better side in most phases of the game despite missing a number of players because of different reasons. 

“The lads, who got a chance to play, utilised the opportunity and I am happy we managed to keep a clean sheet and the goal we scored is evident of the work we are putting in as a team,” said Tapera.

His counterpart, Students coach Mutiwekuziva thought, with a bit of lucky, they could have at least salvaged a point. 

“I think we played very well, we could have scored from the few half chances we created in the first half but we were not clinical in front of goals.

“The result is not a true reflection because I think we were better than them but but they just punished us with the goal they goat early in the game,” he said 

Teams

Triangle: G. Chitsumba, J. Mukombwe, M. Ngwenya, T. Chisi, K.Gwao, T. Kabanda, B. Dzingai, R. Madamombe, M. Hlabati, G. Bhero, E. Mawuna (A. Chivheya 79th min).

Herentals: T. Chikosi, B. Majarira, J. Zhuwawo (A. Masilelo, G. Chinobva (A. Majarira 79th min), D. Marowa (P. Chama 56th min), T. Jim (B. Majarira 56th min), I. Benza (D. Chimwemwe 70th min), P. Chota, W. Chimbetu, W. Kapumha, C. Mujuru.