HERENTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1(2)
TRIANGLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0(2)
HERENTALS and Triangle shared the spoils in what was a pulsating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
Blessing Phiri and Blessing Majarira were on target for the Students, while veterans Russell Madamombe and Newman Sianchalli got the goals for Triangle.
The draw effectively lifted the lowveld side out of the relegation zone, albeit on goal difference, as they are tied on 20 points with Sheasham who sit 15th on the table.
It was a tight contest in the first half as both sides were slow to move out of the blocks, waiting to hit each other on the counter.
Herentals, however, got the opening goal after 30 munutes, courtesy of Blessing Phiri who darted the ball home from a stylish flick by Innocent Benza.
The Students were leading at half-time, but they lost momentum in the second half as Triangle turned on the heat.
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Veteran forward Madamombe restored parity for the sugarcane growers on the 55th minute with a well taken free-kick from outside the box.
Sianchali, who recently joined Triangle, thrust them ahead with a cool finish from inside the box on the hour mark.
The former Hwange, Caps United and Dynamos forward scored with his first touch after being introduced as a substitute, to beat the diving goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi.
Majarira, who was also introduced as a second half substitute, equalised for Herentals on the 71th minute mark, as he nicely slotted the ball home from close range after a mix up between the Triangle defenders.
After the match, Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva said: “We fought hard and after the first half goal, I thought we would cement our play and get the win.
“But this is football. They were better than us in the second half. We did well to ensure the one point is saved.
“It’s one game at a time, we now shift focus to the Chibuku Super Cup that comes next weekend when we face ZPC Kariba.”
His counterpart, Thulani Sibanda was pleased with his team's attitude, especially in the second half.
“It’s a point gained. We had no rythm in the first half but we showed character in the second half and it paid off,” Sibanda said.
“That goal scored by Russell (Madamombe) changed everything for us. Its important especially when the senior guys step up to lead the team.
“Its still work in progress because we really don't want to be in the position that we are in. I believe we will rise and get more positive results in the coming games.”
