MUTARE - Buffaloes progressed to the last eight of the Mbada Diamonds Cup after edging visiting Black Mambas in a first round match here yesterday.

Double scorer Prosper Matizanadzo, who deservedly won the man-of-the-match award, provided both goals that propelled the army side into a quarter-final date with CAPS United.

The Mutare soldiers had to come from behind after the visitors stormed into the lead just four minutes into the game through Last Chibwiro.

Chibwiro beat an ill-conceived offside trap and slotted the ball past an over exposed Hopewell Bere in goals for the army side.

The army side, who were a rejuvenated side after the half time break, equalised through hard running Matizanadzo in the 61st minute after he was set up by the impressive midfielder Roy Mwenga.

The gangling striker, who has had a lean patch this season, completed his brace two minutes from full time.

Mambas coach John Ncube blamed the defeat on the numerous chances his players wasted in the first half.

“We wasted a lot of chances and our marking was loose in the box as a result we lost the match,” Ncube said.

Buffaloes assistant coach Sicho Masachi said: “We played well in the second half after we spoke to our players .We had a brilliant second half in which we scored both our goals.” - Sydney Saize