SHABANIE MINE surrendered their invincibility status at home following a 1-2 loss at the hands of Buffaloes in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Maglas Stadium yesterday.
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Shabanie Mine………….1 Buffaloes………………….2
Roy Mwenga and Prosper Matizanadzo’s second-half goals outweighed Daniel Chakupe’s first half strike. Former Shabanie coach Luke Masomere who is now head coach at Buffaloes, was not present to face his former paymasters as he is attending a CAF A Licence course in Harare.
After the match Shabanie Mine coach John Phiri was disappointed to lose at home for the first time since he took charge at the Chinda Boys.
“It was always going to be a difficult match for us. Everyone wants to win here and Buffaloes have won. But that is part of the game and we will work on the areas we were found wanting ahead of our future games,” Phiri said.
Buffaloes assistant coach Timothy Masachi was on cloud nine following his side’s first win at Maglas. We have never won here and I am happy we have finally won today (yesterday). We played well in the second half and we deserved to win,” he said.
Buffaloes dominated proceedings from the onset, but the Shabanie defence led by veteran Zvenyika Makonese held firm.
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Thirty two minutes into the game Shabanie’s regular goal getter Chakupe belted the opener after the visitors’ defence cushioned the ball into his path trying to defend a corner. After the breather Masachi altered his tactics relying on quick counter attacks that troubled the impressive but ageing Shabanie defence.
Mwenga outpaced the tired legs of Makonese and his defence partner, captain Smart Muchabaiwa. for the equaliser with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Two minutes latter Matizanadzo out jumped the seemingly weary Shabanie defense to power home a free header beyond the reach of an exposed goalkeeper London Zulu.
