Harare City beat Monomotapa

Harare Bureau
Harare City ………………………………………………… (0) 3
Monomotapa ……………………………………………… (1) 1
BIGBOY Mawiwi chose to be modest as his Sunshine Boys, who are showing strong title credentials with each passing game, came from behind to win and ease into second place in the Castle Lager Premier League championship race. Mawiwi’s men were deserved winners of this four-goal thriller against a stubborn Monoz at Rufaro yesterday.

Harare City are now just a point behind pacesetters Highlanders and their victory yesterday helped them leapfrog Chicken Inn and Dynamos into second place.

However, their celebrations were dampened by the news that star midfielder, Silas Songani, had lost his guardian and grandfather.

The Warriors midfielder had a great afternoon but unbeknown to him his grandfather, who raised him as an orphan, had died shortly before this match got underway.

The club only broke the news to the player after the match.

The Sunshine Boys have been quietly going about their business and Leslie Gwindi’s professional guidance, as boss of their management team, and Mawiwi’s tutelage, has helped them to take on Premiership giants Highlanders and DeMbare.

And if they win their weekend game against Hwange at the Colliery, they could finish the first half of the season as the top team, if other results go their way.

Monomotapa were the first to score in the 42nd minute, against the run of play, when forward Agrippa Murimba found himself with acres of space in the box, unchallenged, and buried his effort with aplomb.

However, the Sunshine Boys deservedly levelled terms five minutes after the break when exciting left winger, Phineas Bamusi, converted a delivery from Songani whipped in from the other flank.

Two minutes later, Mawiwi’s men were in front and this time the scoring honours fell to defensive midfielder James Jam.

Harare City striker then got the insurance goal in the 64th minute when their leading scorer, Osborne Mukuradare, headed home his eighth goal of a productive season.

There was a lot on show for the few fans who were at Rufaro with Monoz midfielder, Ronald Chitiyo, catching the eye with his silky skills.

Harare City players Songani, Jam and Bamusi also turned on eye-catching performances.

Harare gaffer Mawiwi said his team passed a huge test.

“We want to take each game as it comes. We have no pressure and we are enjoying our game. l am happy, we are in second position,” said Mawiwi.

“We are working hard and the fruits of hard work are paying off.”

The coach said his charges showed a lot of character to come from behind and win.

“We went to half time a goal down but were playing well and didn’t panic,” said Mawiwi.

“I told them during the break that football is all about scoring goals and they needed to score.”

Monomotapa’s assistant coach, Nkululeko Dlamini, said his team was work in progress.