CBZ dismissed Payserv 4-0 in one of the four opening matches of the 2018 Financial Services Soccer League (FSSL), played on Saturday, 7th April 2018 at Greendale Sports Club. CBZ opened its account in the 2nd minute straight from a corner kick by Bernard “Muziyoni” Muchenje. After this early opener, the home team continued to threaten and Casper (11) missed one of the clear opportunities to extend the lead.
CBZ’s second goal came from the lethal boot of double-scorer Neckson Chimtiku (9) in the 36th minute and shortly thereafter captain Norbert Mhike’s indirect free kick cannoned off the cross bar. Payserv captain Kevin Chipidza (6) limped off the field with a hamstring injury 10 minutes from the end of the first half. Chimtiku returned to haunt the payment services providers in the 42nd minute when kept his cool despite the close attention of a Payserv defender and slotted home the 3rd goal of the match after the visitors had failed to clear their ranks. Almost immediately, Payserv’s number 8 had a good chance to pull one back but shot wide.
CBZ’s fourth and final goal came after the interval from Simbarashe Gandiwa (7) who scored in the 48th minute. This was followed up by a ferocious indirect free kick by CBZ’s number 15 which went wide after a foul on Banse (7) outside the box. Shortly before he was forced to walk off the field a quarter of an hour before the end of the month after sustaining an injury, Mhike had a powerful free kick saved by the Payserv goalie, whose valiant efforts between the sticks ensured that CBZ did not score more goals.
Payserv tried to come back into the game and played a more purposeful attacking game deep in the second half but were let down by a weak final third that failed to breach the CBZ defence. Substitute Mhofu (12) missed probably Payserv’s best chance on 73 minutes when he could have tapped in a cross from the left to reduce the arrears. Walter Kazani (8), the most skillful player on view, was outstanding for the Bornwell Sena-coached CBZ while Keith Marowa (14) had a good showing for Payserv.
The match officials of the day were Lameck Masvaure (Class 3), assisted by Jealous Khumba (Class 2).
According to Payserv captain Kevin Chipidza, the “respectable” scoreline reflects the extent to which his team has improved, considering that they were playing against one of the strongest teams in the league. This time lines last year, they were conceding “rugby” scorelines but they have since morphed into a fairly competitive side – MFSB Sport. For comments about this story, please write to [email protected]