Bantu versus How Mine Match Report

Promising midfielder Nqobizitha Masuku opened his Bantu Rovers goal scoring account in style when he scored a gem of a goal from just outside the box to secure three points for Tshintsha Guluva in a tense encounter against How Mine at White City Stadium on Saturday, 2 April.

Bantu, who were playing their first home game, started the game applying high pressure and did not give the opposition enough time to play their game. The Rovers gained a lot of possession, especially in midfield were Marvelous Nakamba, Masuku, Mduduzi Dube and Johannes Ngozo were pressuring How Mine and winning a lot of possession.  How Mine relied on sporadic counter attacks but found the Bantu rearguard, well marshaled by skipper Edwin Nkomo unyielding.  Bantu kept piling the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty in the 35th minute when Zenempilo Khuphe was tripped in the box.  Kevin Moyo, who seems to have struck a terrific understanding with strike partner Khuphe stepped up to convert the kick.

The second half started with How Mine applying a lot of pressure with former Amazulu midfielder Taurayi Makukuto  outstanding.  Bantu absorbed the pressure and gradually crept back into the game with 17 year old Masuku stamping his authority in the middle of the park.  In the 59th minute he capped a fine afternoon by scoring what proved to be the winner with a thunderbolt.  After a one – two combination with Moyo, Masuku unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box that beat the How Mine goalkeeper all systems down. After the second goal Bantu continued bombarding the How Mine goal but the goals just couldn’t come.  In the dying minutes of the match Bantu conceded a penalty when Xolisani Khumalo tackled a How Mine striker from behind inside the box which resulted in How Mine pulling one back. Coach Lunga made some changes, bringing in Kudakwashe Mahachi and Moodley Njeleza for Johannes Ngozo and Kevin Moyo. Sensing that they could get a point How Mine threw everything into attack in the final minutes forcing Bantu to back pedal.  In the end the home side held on to collect maximum points.

After the match Team Manager Wonder Mpofu said, “The result is not a true reflection of the match.  We missed a lot of chances and we will need to improve on our conversion rate going forward.  After they scored their goal we found ourselves under a lot of pressure in a game that should have been long finished.  I am sure our coaches will work on finishing exercises as we missed a lot of chances today”.  Bantu Rovers take on Sao Paolo in Victoria Falls the weekend of 9/10th April.

Team
Takunda Mutanga
Elvis Moyo
Mduduzi Dube
Levison Dube
Edwin Nkomo
Xolisani Khumalo
Johannes Ngozo (Kudakwashe Mahachi,60min)
Nqobizitha Masuku
Marvellous Nakamba
Kevin Moyo (Moodley Njeleza, 75min)
Zenempilo Khuphe

Subs
Chrispen Ncube
Mduduzi Maphosa
Wallace Magalane