City Fathers hold Rangers

Soccer League match against struggling Blue Rangers at Gwanzura yesterday.
Muvuti’s 63rd minute strike from just outside the penalty box denied Rangers what could have been their first victory of the season in six games.
Rangers, who missed a couple of chances in the first half, dominated the early exchanges but did not know what to do with the ball when they got into scoring positions. They, however, took the lead through Scholar Hadebe soon after  half-time. Hadebe, who was guilty of missed chances earlier, redeemed himself when he scrambled home Tawanda Ushe’s low cross from the left flank.
But City refused to throw in the towel and could have hit back instantly when substitute Raphael Manuvire broke through the middle soon after his introduction in the 53rd minute.
However, the Sunshine Boys striker disappointingly miscued his shot wide when coming face-to-face with Rangers’ goalkeeper Seaba Maponga.
Muvuti, who otherwise had a quite game, surprised even himself when he received the ball just outside the box and shot with his left foot on the turn to find the top corner.
It was a goal for the archives and City coach Bigboy Mawiwi praised the young striker although he was not impressed by his team’s overall performance. City have now drawn four times in six starts and, with only one win to their credit, they slid into the bottom half of the table after yesterday’s result.
“Rangers are an experienced team and it wasn’t an easy game. We didn’t play our normal game but we liftedour game when we leveled the scores.
“I am not happy with the draws because most of the times we will be dominating,” Mawiwi said.
Rangers, who still anchor the table, have had a poor start to the season after losing their opening four games and coach Wishes Shiridzinomwa’s job has been on the line because of the poor returns. Rangers picked up their first point of the season in a 2-2 draw against Hwange last week.
“A point gained is better than nothing. In fact, we could have scored more goals in the first half but we wasted a lot of chances.
“I am happy, though, that we are creating the opportunities but the finishing is poor. Maybe it’s because the players are failing to handle the pressure. People must understand that we are building a new team and it will take time,” said Shiridzinomwa.
Teams
Blue Rangers:  S. Maponga, K. Mazhambe, C. Boroama, P. Marazanye, C. Dickson, E. Kopeni, B. Bvumbwe, N. Mukwezvaramba (E. Mashiri, 60th minute), S. Hadebe (E. Matsika, 90th minute), T. Mparaganda, T. Ushe
Harare City: P. Gumiremhete, K. Chidzero, P. Titus, B. Tuwaya, E. Tapera, R. Uchena, C. Mukanhairi (G. Nguwodzawo, 53rd minute), T. Nyamadzawo (B. Mupfava, 84th minute), N. Ziwini, C. Muvuti, F. Kuswatuka (R. Manuvire, 53rd minute).