Zimpapers Logo

Oscar Rusenga in TRIANGLE
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4)5
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)2

Triangle continued their unbeaten run against Hwange FC when they mauled their visitors in a first half blitz at Gibbo yesterday to become the biggest winners of the opening weekend of the 2015 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League championship.

Hwange have never tasted victory against the Sugar Sugar Boys in all competitions and the two sides have met six times so far.

Triangle have won on three occasions but yesterday’s triumph was the biggest to date.

The result meant Triangle will occupy top spot on the log standings after round one.

Triangle didn’t take too long to open the scoring when returnee Pasca Manhanga punished young Hwange goalkeeper London Zulu.

Zulu cleared his lines into Manhanga’s feet who took his chance with a rising shot which the back-pedalling goalkeeper parried into his own nets after three minutes.

Triangle’s midfield was lively and dominated possession in the first 20 minutes, Manhanga has picked another ball halfway and side-footed to man of the match Hardlife Mavhundi, who dribbled past Phakamani Dube before unleashing a low shot that came off the base of the near post with the ‘keeper well beaten.

Mavhundi did not take long to register his name on the score sheet when after winning possession in Hwange half, he struck a spectacular thunderbolt to beat the young Zulu hands down in the 32nd minute.

Last season’s club top goalscorer, Richard Kawondera, scored the third for the hosts 10 minutes later. The goal came after a beautiful build-up with Nhamo Lameck, Tichaona Chipunza and Mavhundi exchanging good passes before the latter released Brian Juwayeyi who crossed perfectly for Kawondera to finish off.

Triangle added the fourth on the 44th minute when Manhanga crossed for Lameck who had a good first touch before dribbling past two defenders and scoring from an acute angle.

Hwange, who had only one shot on target throughout the first stanza, made three substitutes when play resumed introducing goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda, Gilbert Zulu and Aleck Marime for Zulu, Tafara Chese and Creven Band respectively.

The decision worked for stand-in coach Chenjerai Dube, who took charge on the absence of Nation Dube.

Triangle were caught on the break in the 48th minute when Manhanga lost possession in the opposition half and Hwange capitalised with a long pass to Gilbert Zulu who set up Evans Rusike to pull one back for the visitors.

Zulu turned from being a provider to score Hwange’s second goal from Phakamani Dube free-kick after Nelson Meson had committed a foul near the corner flag.

Kawondera missed a wonderful opportunity to put the result beyond doubt but headed wide with a goal at his mercy after another searching cross from Mavhundi in the 75th minute.

Hwange had their own chance three minutes later when Marime was gifted with an opportunity to set up a nervy finish. A defensive mix-up by Jimmy Dzingai and Kimmy Tigere put through Marime who could not believe a save from Mudimu who had a busy second half.

Substitute Bakacheza put the final nail in the coffin when he made no mistake chipping the ball over the diving Sibanda after another fine assist from Mavhundi.

Triangle coach Kelvin Kaindu was happy with the result.

“It’s a positive sign to score five from five different players against a well organised Hwange side.

We lacked a bit of defensive organisation in the second half but it’s good when you score five and opponents score two”, said Kaindu.

Dube conceded that they played badly in the first half.