Chronicle Editor
Tobias Mandoreba, Hwange Correspondent
Hwange 0 -1 TelOne
Hwange FC’s woes continued yesterday as they again stumbled to yet another morale shattering defeat at the hands of visiting TelOne at the Colliery Stadium.
This was a development that left passionate fans at a loss of words to what has hit the team.
Chipangano went into the contest with the WiFi Boys against a backdrop of two losses to Bulawayo Chiefs (home) and Simba Bhora (away) with identical 2-0 scoreline defeats and yesterday the fans hoped their boys would atone for those losses with a successful “disconnectlon” of TelOne “wifi” but the agony continued.
Blessing Sibanda’s goal in the 62th minute was enough to drive a dagger through the hearts of the Hwange football family as it sealed all the three points for the Premier Soccer League returnees.
The goal was created by TelOne’s most outstanding player of the afternoon Blessing Sahondo who embarked on a mazy run on the right flank before laying a sitter for Sibanda who easily slotted home past an exposed Wellington Muuya in goals for Chipangano.
The loss aside, the coalminers had their chances in the contest but were frustrated by the brilliance of TelOne goalkeeper Alois Tangwara who was in top form.
Tangwara first denied Lloyd Mutoma in the 20th minute from close range after Mutoma had been fed by the lanky and impressive Hwange midfielder Mongameli Tshuma.
Not to be outdone, TelOne responded to the threat four minutes later through a screamer by Washington Navaya which missed the target by a few inches.
The lethal Sahondo almost grabbed the lead on the half-hour mark through a blistering 35 meter freekick which was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Muuya as the match livened up in the opening stanza.
Moments before the breather youthful Hwange striker Tendai Muvhuti roasted three TelOne defenders on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful volley but again Tangwara was the stumbling block with another top drawer save.
The second-half was a see saw affair with teams trading punches until the goal by Sibanda which made all the difference in the game.
The introduction of Prosper Mathe and Cannan Nkomo for Gift Mbweti and Mutoma respectively early in the last half tilted the game in Hwange’s favour with some incessant attacks but TelOne defended for dear life to the final whistle.
The loss now means Hwange have gone for a total of 270 minutes of action without a goal and dropping huge nine points on the spin.
Hwange coach Nation Dube cut out a depressed figure after the match and said injuries affected his game plan.
“It’s tough to lose at home. The injuries are affecting the team’s rhythm and co-ordination. Hopefully we can pick ourselves up in the next game,” he said.
His opposite number Tendai Chikuni was all smiles.
“I am pleased with the three points on the road. We reshuffled the team and it paid dividends. We hope to maintain the consistency,” said Chikuni.
Online Reporter