BYO CHIEFS . . . . . . . (0)1
BLACK RHINOS . . . . . . .0
PERFECT Chikwende's late goal was all Bulawayo Chiefs needed to collect maximum points from Black Rhinos in a lukewarm Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Rhinos player, Peace Malaga was shown the red card before the game after a scuffle with a Bulawayo Chiefs' official but he was not on the original team sheet and did not affect the game.
Chikwende fired past the army side's goalkeeper Blessing Mwandimutsira, 12 minutes before the final whistle, after picking up the ball from Wilson Mensah in a move engineered by Obriel Chirinda to Bully Veremu who provided the cross.
Coach Nilton Terroso was thrilled with the win but admitted that it had been a difficult game.
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"It was a very physical and intense game but it was played. It was a game of equality, a very difficult game. Ultimately, we did what we have not done in a long time. Credit to the players," Terroso said.
For Rhinos, Stanford Mutizwa said they went to sleep while in attack.
“It was a great game, both teams played well. We got our chances but the goalkeeper saved them. In the second half we looked for that goal and made a loophole and they got that goal. They have broken our momentum, we will try and lift up the boys,” he said.
He refused to comment on the Malaga incident.
Chiefs started off the game well, mounting pressure on the army side but were found wanting in the final third while the visitors depended on the counter-attack.
Hughe Chikosa missed a glaring opportunity in the 12th minute, set up by Obriel Chirinda but his effort was blocked by Mwandimutsira.
Ten minutes after the break, it was Rhinos attacking with Denzel Mutudza but his shot was saved by goalkeeper David Bizabani.
Just before Chiefs scored their winner, the army side also had another opportunity but Dennis Dauda's header was safely collected by an alert Bizabani.
Teams
Bulawayo Chiefs: D Bizabani, E Moyo, K Madzongwe, H Chikosa (B Veremu 77'), L Ndlela, A Musiyiwa, O Chirinda (M Mkolo 86'), M Msebe, K Moyo, P Chikwende (W Mensah 83'), F Moyo
Black Rhinos: B Mwandimutsira, S Mudzengere (K Madera 63'), C Kwaramba, G Madhake, D Dauda, P Milanzi (P Gweva 63'), B Christopher, D Mutudza, W Ilunga, E Feremba (T Nyamandwe 63'), A Phiri
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