CABS overcomes RBZ
CABS……………… (0) 2
RBZ……………… (0) 1
CABS overcame a battling Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe side 2-1 in a Financial Services Soccer League (FSSL) match played on Saturday, 14 April 2018 at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Sports Club. In the opening 5 minutes of the game, CABS were the more threatening side while the RBZ looked a bit jittery. However, as the game wore on, RBZ regained their composure and took the game to CABS resulting in a somewhat balanced match that produced some exciting end-to-end action. CABS however continued to have the lion’s share of chances and kept the RBZ goalie very busy but were goal-shy in a match in which they could have scored five times before the interval. Although the RBZ midfield appeared not to have an effective answer to CABS’ incisive passing game, the match went to the interval with a nil-all scoreline.
RBZ returned from the break a rejuvenated side but was unable to breach the CABS defence, well marshaled by central defence stalwart James Gonyora (5). Faston Murimirwa broke the deadlock and put CABS in the driving seat in the 63rd minute when he hit a powerful short from outside the penalty box after a cross from the left by Ngoni (4). Substitute Mandlenkosi Mapondera (18) doubled the lead on 71 minutes with an assist from fellow substitute Obey Rusero. Shortly thereafter, RBZ could have reduced the arrears from a Tanaka Mukura effort but the CABS goalkeeper was up to the task. CABS had the opportunity to make it 3-0 through their number 12 but his weak header was easily collected by the RBZ goalie.
Tanaka Mukura, wearing jersey number 8, proved to be the RBZ’s super substitute when he rose from the bench to score an injury-time goal with a long-range shot to make it 2-1.
CABS stand-in coach Choose Kambarami said defender James Gonyora had an outstanding game while for his opposite number Tendekayi Manika, it was goalkeeper Charlton Chinzou, who normally plays as a striker, who put in a decent shift between the sticks to deny CABS victory by a wider margin.
Emmanuel Nendozo, a class 2 referee, handled the match and was assisted by Gilbert Ganda who is also in the same class. Each of the team had two player cautioned.