Tripple B, Rhinos draw

Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge Bureau
Tripple B . . . . . . . (1)1
Rhinos . . . . . . . . .(1)1
A late equaliser was all Black Rhinos needed to spoil Tripple B ‘s party in a tightly-contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played before a capacity crowd at Dulibadzimu here yesterday. The two teams had to wait for the second leg of their encounter this year after they all failed to penetrate each other’s defense in Rimuka Stadium
a few weeks ago where the match ended nil all.

Tripple B predatory striker Alick Marime had put his team in the driving seat in the third minute after he converted a penalty sending Chipembere’s goal keeper Herbert Rusawo the wrong side. The home side was awarded a penalty after Marime was fouled by Clarence Zimbau in the box.

However Brian Muzondiwa made the teams even in the 40 minute when he capitalised on a counter attack after outpacing Tripple B captain Oscar Chove and sending Tapiwa Mafunga the wrong side.

The match kicked off with both teams playing fast paced football though their strikers failed to convert a number of chances in front of goals. Black Rhinos veteran striker Gilbert Mushangazhike was the most unlucky player for the better part of the day.

The fast paced Mushangazhike nearly scored for his team in the 9th minute but was denied by Mafunga who was equal to the task. The rhinos forward came knocking again in the 33rd minuet but his shot went wide.

Tshintsha Magiya tried to capitalise on counter attacks in the last 15 minutes of the first half but the Chipembere defence which was well marshalled by Shadreck Jimu was in a no nonsense mood.

The visitors upped their game in the second half with the duo of Muzondiwa and Wonder Kapinda literally camping in Tshintsha Magiya’s half for five minutes. Rhinos coach replaced Zimbau with Martin Mine in the 74th minute while his counterpart replaced the injured Marime with the quick Rainsome Pavari.

Philip Makanje earned himself a yellow card after he tried to pull a 'Hand of God' stunt in the 57th minute off a Webster Chingodza corner kick. Referee Mulindeli Ndebele was apt in disallowing the gaol.

In a post match interview Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani said his charges had played well as a unit  though they failed to convert a lot of chances in the second half.
His Tripple B counterpart Peter Manoti said his side has improved a lot as compared to the last matches.

“We played very well and our play has been improving and we hope to continue picking more points so that we stay in the PSL. We are not taking any chances as we will continue reviewing progress in all departments,” he said.

Marime nearly missed the match as Tripple B and Strikers FC executive were fighting over a debt involving $1000 in singing on fees. However the matter was resolved after Strikers FC were paid the money on Friday afternoon.

“We have paid them the money and as far as we are concerned that is a closed chapter. This was just a mere ploy to derail our progress buy some of our colleagues,” said Tripple B secretary Gibson Makanda.

Teams

Tripple B : T Mafunga, T Mkondwa, G Fireyi, O Chove, E Mwinga, T Mamvura, W Chingodza, P Makanje, S Maengeni, A Marime (R Pavari 76 min), S Maengeni.
Black Rhinos : H Rusawo, J Mukombwe, M Kurewa, B Homora, S Jimu, W Masenda, B Muzondiwa, G Mushangazhike, T Machacha, C Zimbau (M Mine 74 minutes).
http://www.sundaymail.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36733:tripple-b-rhinos-draw&catid=50:sport&Itemid=142#.UeKVnaxSVdg