adminHARARE CITY continued their good run when they dismissed Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro yesterday.
The Sunshine City boys are unbeaten since Leslie Gwindi was confirmed as chairman of the club.
Godfrey Nguwodzawo drew first blood after 39 seconds, getting to the end of a Silas Songani cross who had done well to win the ball in the centre circle and charged down the right flank before releasing a cross across goal.
Nguwodzawo converted.
Despite the early lead, Harare City struggled for much of the first half as they were unable to penetrate a resolute Hwange defence, but they looked promising as they dominated possession.
Songani came close to doubling City’s lead in the 11th minute when he burst through to meet a Nathan Ziwin through ball but his shot missed the target by few inches.
Hwange settled into the game and started to probe and came close when Thonisani Sibelo embarked on a good run, beating three City defenders in the process, but
directed his shot wide of the far post.
The first half staggered towards the close with Hwange dominating the proceedings but the goal remained elusive with Malvern Longwe proving a handful for City defenders.
Instead, as fate would have it, it was the hosts who scored again.
Trymore Nyamadzawo doubled the lead for Harare City eight minutes from the breather when he headed home a ball flighted from a corner kick from Songani.
With City still in celebratory mood, Daniel Kamunhenga reduced the arrears for Hwange, capitalising on some sloppy defending and directing his shot past Nomore John, who was in goals for the hosts.
Hwange threw everything they had to get an equaliser but were either wasteful or the goalkeeper was equal to the task and, in the end, City registered another crucial victory.
Harare City have been enjoying a good run recently beating Dynamos 1-0 before holding Highlanders 1-1 and yesterday’s win saw the City Boys exchanging places with Hwange on the log into ninth place.
Harare City coach, Bigboy Mawiwi, was happy with the three points and felt his tactical approach won the game for his side.
“It was a hard-fought win and it looked more of a tactical game and that’s where we won the match.
“We did well to contain these guys and we used flanks to attack them, especially with Songani, he is good in that position.
“We want to keep on playing well and we don’t want to put ourselves under any pressure by setting target for the boys, we just want to concentrate on every game the way we have been doing in the previous games,” said Mawiwi. Hwange manager, Tenant Chilumba, blamed the defeat on poor finishing.
The team also missed the services of Rodwell Chinyengetere who is South Africa for a trial stint with Bidvest Wits.
“We played well but missed a lot of chances and in football it’s all about scoring.
“We were unlucky with our finishing and we also missed Rodwell but football is about 11 players and they have to rise to the occasion.
“We are still in contention and if we get four points in our next games we will be in the top four, so we are not panicking yet,” said Chilumba.
Teams:
Harare City: N. John, T. Nyamadzawo, R. Uchena, C. Muvuti, K. Chidzero, P. Titus, G. Nguwodzawo, E. Tapera, W. Nyamusaka, N. Ziwini, S. Songani
Hwange: T. Sibanda, E. Chipeta, B. Boriwondo, G. Zulu, K. Chipere, D. Kamunhenga, W. Mhango, T. Sibelo, M. Longwe, A. Tavarwisa, G. Ndhlovu.
Online Reporter