..As FBC Moola Tastes Defeat for the First Time in 2018
FBC Moola… (0) 1
CABS… (2) 2
Photography: Tapiwanashe Nigel Muza
FBC Moola came unstuck at a crucial stage of the title race and experienced the bitter taste of defeat for the first time in the 2018 season last Saturday at their fortress, FBC OH Sports Club. The 2017 FSSL Champions lost 1 – 2 to a tactical CABS team that now looks set to run away with the league title.
FBC created some chances in the first quarter of the highly anticipated match but failed to put them away. Lyneton “Tronix” Tambwera had the first opportunity as early as the 1st minute when Nyasha “Nyale” Sanhewe made a penetrative run on the left flank but the FBC captain’s header from the resultant cross was intercepted by an alert CABS defence. In the 9th minute, Nyale made another spirited solo run but his effort crushed against the goalpost.
CABS weathered the early storm and slowly came back into the game. Their first meaningful attack came when Joe Vuma made a run on the right channel and flighted a cross to Chris Jimu whose first time shot went agonisingly wide. Jimu then reciprocated and combined beautifully with Joe Vuma but Simbarashe Nyakaswa in goal for FBC was equal to the task and made a point-blank-range save. Marvellous Muchenu, the CABS captain had a good game on the left side of attack and fittingly broke the deadlock on 25 minutes when he headed in a cross from Joe Vuma, much to the delight of the vuvuzela-wielding and vocal band of CABS supporters who created a carnival atmosphere.
CABS defender Mutape, who had been troubled by Nyasha Sanhewe in the early stages of the game, appeared to figure out the FBC winger’s type of play as the game wore on and began to neutralise him. As a result Nyale switched to the right flank in order to escape the close attention of the pint-sized CABS defender, whose Grade 2 son was at the venue in full regalia, to cheer him on. CABS grew in confidence after their opener and a swift counter-attacking move soon yielded a goal scored by Chris Jimu on 39 minutes. FBC immediately had a chance to reduce the arrears but Tronix’s thunderous free kick was saved by CABS keeper Fungai “Fudzo” Burira. The ferocity of the shot resulted in an injury scare for Fudzo but fortunately he was able to continue the match.
At the start of the second half, FBC made a double substitution with Andrew Chiguvare coming in for Absalom “Abuja” Rupiya while Richard Mangenda replaced Peter Gwisai. In place of Mangenda, FBC had wanted to give “Botswana” who was wearing jersey number 12, a run but he was not allowed to play because he did not have an ID. CABS stood their ground and refused their former player an opportunity to play for two reasons: First, Botswana is a proven goalscorer whose introduction could have changed the complexion of the game and possibly rescued it for FBC, and second, this was in apparently retaliation of FBC’s earlier refusal to let William “Drogba” Mugozo play because he only had an electronic copy of his ID.
Mangenda wasted little time in making an impression on the game when he connected a cross from the right but was ruled offside. He however was not done and returned to haunt CABS a few minutes later when he scored FBC’s face saver through a glancing header in the 91st minute. However, the damage had already been done and the match ended shortly thereafter.
Youthful CABS coach Nchuzi Kambalami attributed their success to proper planning for the match and their strategy of neutralising FBC’s wing play by ensuring that their left back and right back did not venture upfront. The result was also down to CABS’ defensive shift in the second half. The FBC gaffer attributed the loss to early defensive frailties that resulted in the two goals and he also conceded that the title race was all but over for them.
Nchuzi felt that defender Jimogo had played his heart out for CABS and singled out Nyale of FBC for special mention. His opposite number felt that Perseverance Chuma had been outstanding for CABS while James “Baluba” Mugoneka put in a good shift for FBC.
Evans P. Chihoro handled the match, assisted by Saini Pears and Earnest Nyemba – all Class 2 referees operating under the Top Class Referees banner. CABS supporters were up in arms with the referee because they felt he allowed a lot of fouls to go unpunished which resulted in the game degenerating to overly physical and aggressive levels at times. “No match is worth winning if someone breaks their lag,” said CABS official Ivan Vambe.
FBC Moola: Simbarashe Nyakaswa, Kudzai Kwangwari, Terrence Malunga, James Mugoneka (Andrew Chiguvare), Abiot Murenzvi, Peter Gwisai (Richard Mangenda), Paul Mutaurwa, Lyneton Tambwera, Absalom Rupiya, Nyasha Sanhewe, Tatenda Nembaware. Ocean Chihota (2nd half substitute)
CABS: Fungai Burira, Ngoni Fero, T. Gonyora, Marvelous Muchenu, Dumisani Vuma, Joe Vuma (Obey), Gibson Moyo, Perseverance Chuma, G. Chipimho, Chris Jimu, Misheck Nyakanyanga. ©MFSB Sport
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