Gogobole Bucs beat the much-feared Madombidzha Western 1-0 in the Together tournament at Gogobole on Saturday.
Stars squandered numerous scoring opportunities, making the result a false reflection of the game. From the onset their midfielders were dictating terms and their strikers kept on unleashing rockets from outside the box. Maanda Magoro of Stars and Rudzani Mulaudzi of Bucs squandered numerous chances.
Bucs came close to scoring in the 16th minute when Thabelo Tharini broke loose and shot wide with only the keeper to beat. Stevy Ramaliba's shot hit the crossbar and bounced back into the field of play a little later. No goals were scored in the first half.
Both sides affected some changes to their starting teams late in the second half, but that did not change the complexion of the match. Tsie Nndwambi of Bucs and Pfano Sithuga of Stars were booked for rough play.
Stars should have scored, but Rasta Rakhavha shot wide. Their centre forward, Alugumi Mamugudubi, could not believe his eyes when his volley hit the woodwork and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick.
As if that was not enough to upset the Bucs fans, Lutendo Mabasa's close-range ground cutter missed the goal mouth by inches. Bucs took the lead in the 58th minute. Their overlapping midfielder, Stevy Ramaliba, blasted in a rocket from the 25-meter area.