By Kuchineyi Lewis
Triangle United coach Genesis Mangombe has declared his mission to escape relegation is fully underway after his side dispatched fellow strugglers Kwekwe United 3-0 in a decisive Premier Soccer League clash played on Thursday at Bata Stadium.
The confident win, courtesy of goals from Aaron Zeka, Joel Munsaka (penalty), and Witness Shava gave Mangombe’s side a massive boost in their survival campaign, while compounding Kwekwe United’s woes in their maiden PSL campaign.
“We needed this one at all costs. If we are to survive, we can’t afford to drop points to teams around us.
“I’m very happy with the character the boys showed despite the hectic fixture schedule. Scoring three goals away shows we are doing something right,” said Mangombe after the match.
The match began energetically, with Triangle taking early initiative with a 6th-minute freekick came after sustained pressure but was wasted.
The hosts threatened in patches, notably when Menford Mudzimu beat the keeper only to lose control, and when Farai Mutatu’s neat effort skimmed just wide in the 14th minute.
However, it was Triangle who opened the scoring in the 29th minute through a low cross from the right that was redirected by Aaron Zeka and spilled by the Kwekwe keeper into his own net.
Despite a spirited response from the hosts, Triangle doubled their lead just before halftime when Joel Munsaka converted a penalty after a clumsy foul in the box.
In the second half, Kwekwe United pushed high up the pitch, but their defensive vulnerabilities continued to show.
Witness Shava sealed the game in the 61st minute with a thunderous strike that Kwekwe goalie Andile Taruvinga could barely handle.
Kwekwe United coach Paul Chimalizeni was left dejected by his team’s repeated errors.
“We conceded silly goals — schoolboy blunders. That’s why I’ve been saying we need players with Premiership experience.
“I just hope we can bring in reinforcements in the next window,” he said.
The result leaves Kwekwe United mired in relegation trouble and with plenty of homework to do, while Triangle United, will seek to take advantage of the confidence booster to turn their luck and escape relegation.
“It’s about collecting maximum points now. If it’s tough, at least we draw. But losing, especially to fellow strugglers is not an option,” Mangombe insisted.
