ZVISHAVANE - John Phiri marked his return to the Shabanie bench with an easy 3-1 win over Triangle at Maglas Stadium yesterday.
Shabanie started slowly but a Jimmy Tigere own goal in the 15th minute swung the game into the hosts’ favour.
Shabanie then began to dictate pace, capitalising on sloppy marking by the Triangle defence and they increase the lead in the 40th minute when Carlos Messi finished off a rebound after Triangle keeper Ronald Mudimu had parried back into play a low shot from Merson Nelson.
After the breather Shabanie went a gear up with Zvikomborero Biserck initiating attacks from the midfield where he was supported by Hardlife Mavundi and Louis Matawu.
The home side were mobile on the flanks where Godknows Murwira and Nelson where supplying ball with regularity.
Matawu then scored a gem of a goal with a long range effort outside the box, beating Mudimu after being squared by Messi.
Shabanie continued probing for the fourth goal and were unlucky when second assistant Nyarai Chirwa flagged Allen Tavarwisa's goal for an offside in the 86th minute.
Tigere managed to redeem himself in the 85th minute when he pulled one back from a goal mouth melee inside the box.
“We picked up the tempo later in the first half. It's good to be winning the first match because it removes pressure and also considering that we didn't have a team at the start of the year," said Phiri.