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Harare City . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Monomotapa . . . . . . . . . . . .0WARRIORS midfielder Silas Songani fired home a cracking free-kick to inspire Harare City into the Mbada Diamonds Cup quarter-finals at the expense of Monomotapa at Rufaro yesterday.
Songani, who all season has chipped in with some important goals for the Sunshine City Boys, struck early into the second period with his venomous shot that lit up this otherwise lacklustre affair.
On an afternoon that also had another dramatic moment when a black cat ran onto the pitch ran around the pitch before turning to head back in the direction of the entrance to the dressing rooms where it head emanated from.
The incident which happened just four minutes after the break sent tongues wagging at Rufaro as it came against the background of the serious superstitious beliefs that are prevalent in the domestic game.
Incidentally Songani’s cracking goal arrived eight minutes after the “invasion by the cat’’ but that did not stop the Warriors midfielder from being crowned the best player on view on the afternoon and receiving US$500 for his efforts.
The midfielder, a key member of the Warriors’ CHAN squad, drilled home a powerful long-range from the free kick and Monomotapa goalkeeper Tapiwa Zvaita could only watch helplessly.
Songani said he had not been surprised by the quality of the goal he had scored.
“I always practise free kicks at training everyday so it becomes easier for me during the game to score such a goal. Monoz are a big team and we couldn’t just underrate them and it was really a tough match,” Songani said. Harare City coach Mawiwi was happy to progress to the quarter-finals following an early exit in last year’s edition.
“We did well. We knew Monomotapa were finalists last year and that meant it was not going to be easy for us. They haven’t beaten us in league matches and it was going to be a difficult game.
“But we had to be patient and started playing well after the first 20 minutes. They were coming and we maintained our shape despite them having greater ball possession.
“Last year we lost in the first round so we are taking each game as it comes,” Mawiwi said.
Mawiwi said although he had been surprised to see a cat sprinting onto the pitch from nowhere, he could only discuss “football matters”.
“I am a coach, I have played football and I have never seen that. I cannot comment on things that I don’t know,” said Mawiwi.
Monoz coach Biggie Zuze felt that they had paid the price for failing to convert the chances they created with skipper Ronald Chitiyo among the culprits who lacked the cutting edge in front of Harare City goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu’s goal.
“I think the game was played well with both sides giving their best although we felt we were the better side especially in the first half.
“Our main problem is we are failing to score from the chances we create and it showed today one on one with the goalkeeper we failed. We also had a lapse in concentration and conceded that free kick.
I also feel the referee was also harsh with that free-kick. But I give credit to Harare City.
“It is over in the Mbada Cup and we have to shift to the league we have to survive. I just encourage the strikers to score goals,” Zuze said.
The Monoz gaffer said his side had also been surprised to find an invited guest in the pitch.
“It surprised me also. And the direction which it went that’s where they also scored their goal from, it’s one of those things . . . ” said Zuze.
“We lost our rhythm when they scored and lacked character. We tried to come back but you know with cup games if you concede a goal it is always difficult,” said Zuze.
Monomotapa’s best chance on the afternoon came in the 56th minute when striker Ismael Lawe and Chitiyo failed to score with a yawning goal in front of them.
After Lawe crashed his effort against the upright, the ball fell invitingly to Chitiyo but he was wasteful with his effort. Harare City midfielder Talent Chawapiwa was also guilty of casually latching onto the ball when he needed to apply some power with Zvaita already beaten.
That was before Songani’s goal made all the difference.
Teams:
Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, J. Madora, M. Kunyarimwe, D. Kutyauripo, C. Dickson, J. Jam, S. Songani, N. Ziwini, M. Vengesayi, O. Mukuradare, T. Chawapiwa.
Monomotapa: T. Zvaita, H. Mugoniwa, L. Mhlanga, L. Sithole, O. Mwerahari, M. Mungombe, C. Rukwanhi, C. Boroma, R. Chitiyo, Z. Biseki, I. Lawe.
Online Reporter