Gunners misfire against Shabanie

GUNNERS’ woes in front of goal continued when they settled for a share of the spoils in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter against Shabanie Mine at Rufaro yesterday.
The match was delayed by almost 20 minutes as referee Ngoni Boyd argued that Gunners’ all-red strip clashed in colour with the visitors’ who were wearing a distinctly maroon kit.
But the match, which started off on a promising note for Gunners, ended in disappointment for the home team as they were pinned to their fifth draw in 11 games this season.
The former champions have been struggling for positive results and coach Darlington Dodo could not hide his disappointment after watching his side squander a string of scoring opportunities against a Shabanie Mine defence that looked vulnerable especially in the first 45 minutes.
“It is a cause for concern. I think we did everything that we could have done and created a lot of chances but we failed to convert them.
“I really don’t know what the problem is because we spend three quarters of our training sessions doing the offensive but when we come into game situation, the goals are not coming. We are failing and I am not happy about it,” said Dodo.
Gunners enjoyed greater possession in the early stages with some neat build-ups but their finishing apparently lacked the cutting edge.
They could have got the opener as early as the second minute when leftback Qadr Amini tried his luck from a distance but his rising shot was tipped over the crossbar by goalkeeper Roy Mazingi. Amini, who with Ashley Rambanapasi, was featuring in his first game since returning from a trial stint in South Africa last week, had an impressive afternoon as he created a series of anxious moments inside the Shabanie Mine half with his darting runs and precise crosses into the box.
The Shabanie Mine goal-stopper Mazingi ensured he kept the scoresheet clean when he dived to his right to stop Ishmael Lawe’s header 13 minutes into the game.
But Gunners thought they had broken the duck in the 72nd minute when Ashley Rambanapasi pounced on a spill by the goalkeeper and placed the ball home but the goal was disallowed as referee Ngoni Boyd had blown his whistle for off-side.
Despite their appealing brand of football, statistics have been worrying for Chando Kupisa at this stage of the race.
They have paltry eight goals to their credit in 11 games and coach Dodo feels the Gunners strikeforce has been a major let down after failing to score in six of their matches this season.
Shabanie Mine were no better in front of goal with the few chances they created.
Striker Caleb Masocha outpaced his marker in the 34th minute but shot straight at the goalkeeper George Chigova and then blasted another opportunity over the crossbar in the 74th minute after being fed by substitute Elasto Bakacheza.
Another second half substitute Tarisai Rukanda had a good chance to punish Gunners in the 88th minute following a counter attack but the big striker lost his footing and tumbled as he charged for goal.
Coach Arnord Jani was happy to escape with a point away from home despite not changing their position on the table.
Shabanie are currently third from bottom with 10 points while Gunners remained a rung below with eight points.
“I think we played well but we missed our chances. We are lacking sharpness upfront because we are getting the chances and we are not utilising them.
“But I am glad our defence has improved a lot because we are no longer conceding much compared to the beginning of the season,” said Jani.
Teams
Gunners – G. Chigova, Q. Amini, N. Ziwini, C. Mukuruva (L. Masakusi 68th minute), A. Rambanapasi (P. Makuvaza 77th minute), I. Lawe (M. Moyo), W. Kamudyariwa, E. Meleka, P. Chinungwa, H. Zvirekwi, D. Sengu
Shabanie Mine – R. Mazingi, J. Chisunga (A. Nyoni 80th minute), J. Chitereki, B. Dimanji, T. Mareya, C. Masocha, S. Muchabaiwa, R. Mwale, S. Ndlovu (T. Rukanda 56th minute), R. Nenzou (E. Bakacheza, 69th minute), S. Shoko