Mutare City Rovers boosted their survival chances with a 2-0 win against Triangle on Sunday at Sakubva Stadium.

Sunday’s victory for City Rovers could not have come at a better time as the vastly improved Mutare municipality owned outfit moved back to third from bottom on the log table after fellow relegation candidates Tsholotsho had assumed that position on Saturday, thanks to their slender 1-0 triumph over Border Strikers.

Mutare City Rovers could have surged ahead 13 minutes into the match when Chasten Ngondonga pounced on a loose ball following a goalmouth melee but the former Triangle player failed to punish his former paymasters as he put his effort wide of target.

However, the hosts got it right in the 27th minute after Russell Madamombe was fouled in the box by Triangle’s Ronald Dzvanyai and Harare based referee Josiah Masimira made no mistake as he pointed to the spot. 

Up stepped former Harare City striker Agrippa Murimba who hit the roof of the net, much to the ululation of the paltry crowd of home team fans.

Impressive referee Masimira once again pointed to the spot when Kudakwashe Gurure clumsily brought down goal bound Malven Gaki, three minutes after the break but Nelson Maziwisa’s weak effort was saved by Philip Nhete in goal for City Rovers.

Gusha Bhora extended their lead in the 63rd minute when second half substitute Wonder Sithole’s volley left Triangle shot stopper Ronald Mudimu a well beaten man.

Mutare City coach Taku Shariwa praised his players for playing according to instructions.

“Considering that we had gone down after Tsholotsho won Saturday’s league encounter, it meant that we really needed to win.

“We played well in all departments and I am happy that the boys acquitted themselves well in this match.

“We will solider on with our quest to evade relegation, that is our priority as a club.

“Yes, we are going to face Highlanders in the Chibuku Cup first round matches next weekend but our priority remains Premiership survival,” said Shariwa.

Triangle Coach David ‘Yogi’ Mandigora could be living on borrowed time after agonizingly watched his team suffer a fourth defeat on the trot.

Mandigora was openly ridiculed by Triangle fans after the final whistle as his side suffered yet another morale sapping defeat against CAPS United at Gibbo Stadium in Chiredzi last weekend.

The soft spoken Mandigora even admitted in a post match interview that he is indeed under immense pressure to turn the tables for the Tongaat Hullet bankrolled outfit.

“We are not playing well. When you lose four matches in a row, for a big club like Triangle, it is not good at all.

“At this level of the game if you do not score you can be punished for that and indeed we were punished for that in this match.

“I am disappointed for our fans; they would not really enjoy such results.

“Yes, I am under pressure because losing four matches in a row is not good for any team,” said Mandigora.

Teams
Mutare City Rovers: P Nhete, B Mkwena, V Madamombe, M Sako, M Tapatapa, C Chandongonda, C Muzavazi, B Majamanda, K Gurure (W Sithole 57th minute), R Madamombe (S Sibanda 70th minute), A Murimba;

Triangle: R Mudimu, L Nhamo, T Mapungwana, D Dzvinyai, K Chigwida, N Mazivisa (C Denias 60th minute), M Chiwara, R Mhlanga, R Kawondera (H Mavundi 81st minute), M Gaki, G Zhokinyi: