Dlakama in drawn start at Hwange

Tobias Mandoreba, Hwange Correspondent

Hwange 0- 0 ZPC Kariba

RODWELL Dlakama engaged on Monday as Hwange gaffer began his bid to save the club from Castle Lager Premiership relegation with a draw at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

Hwange huffed and puffed and in the process shed gallons of sweat in their valiant efforts to give coach Dlakama a winning debut.Lack of potency in front of goal was the coalminers’ biggest undoing.

As ZPC Kariba escaped with a point, Hwange fans were left dejected, feeling as if they had lost the tie as they desperately pray for a change of fortunes.

Big striker, Pritchard Mpelele had the best opportunities for the coalminers especially in the opening half but he fluffed them with his script of missed chances starting in the third minute, when his header agonisingly sailed inches over the bar from close range.

After 20 minutes, it was deadball specialist Marceline Mlilo’s turn to curse his luck as his hissing 30 metre freekick missed the right upright by inches with ZPC Kariba goalie Tatenda Mundati diving in vain.

ZPC Kariba was in “darkness”, especially in the opening stanza as they only got a solitary chance 13 minutes from halftime through a Nyasha Gurende freekick, which found Hwange goalkeeper Wellington Muuya alert.

The introduction of sleek Hwange attacking midfielder, Mongameli Tshuma for Mlilo in the 58th minute added Hwange’s firepower upfront but chances went begging up to the final whistle by Hwange referee Venancio Zulu.
Despite the draw, Hwange fans interviewed in a snap survey are optimistic that good tidings are in store given yesterday’s show especially if the strike force department delivers.

Dhlakama, who watched the game from the terraces, lamented the chances that were missed by his lads.
“ We missed a glut of chances, which could have changed the outlook of the game. However, I liked the effort and enthusiasm throughout the match and we need to work on those grey areas in the next games. I liked the support by the fans and we shouldn’t disappoint them in the next home games. “ said Dhlakama.

His opposite number Newton Chitewe said his team could have grabbed all the points.“It was a tough game in which we fought hard and with luck we could have won . Credit to Hwange for the fight and determination, which I think is due to the new coach. A draw was fair and we take that.” said Chitewe.

HWANGE: Wellington Muuya; Kelly Shiyandindi; Lucas Sibanda; Tawanda Shenje; Marcelline Mlilo ( MongameliTshuma 58th min); Pritchard Mpelele; Bhekani Sibanda; Sipho Ndlovu; Shepard Gadzikwa; Canaan Nkomo ( Tendai Muvhuti 82th min) ; Prosper Mathe ( Gift Mbweti 46th min)
ZPC KARIBA: Tatenda Munditi; Tellmore Pio; Nyasha Gurende; Boid Mutukure; Munashe Gavaza; Kudzanayi Dzingayi; Collen Muleya; Fanuel Shoko; Tawanda Makawa; (Ashwin Karengesha 72th min) Leroy Murape; Stanley Ngala ( Epton Hondo 72th min)