admintheir first win against visiting Hwange in an exciting and evenly balanced match at Ascot yesterday.
The former Shabanie Mine striker, popular with Gweru fans changed the complexion of the match after replacing Joseph Matambo and marked his arrival with the opener in the 63rd minute before Alick Marime added the second seven minutes later.
This win proved prophetic for coach Tavaka Gumbo who had declared that he was never going to lose to his former team as he halted Hwange’s perfect visits to Ascot in the last 10 years.
If anything, Hardbody’s assertiveness to the match was much better than in the first three matches in which they lost to Dynamos (0-3),Black Mambas (0-1) and Highlanders (3-5).
“I knew I was never going to lose to my former team because I know their tactics and culture. This makes me happy and I believe we are almost there now and the boys are believing in themselves.
“We have been improving with each and every match and at the moment we cannot talk of relegation as it is not an issue. I benched Michael as a tactical move because I knew he was going to destroy them (Hwange) once introduced in the second half,” said Gumbo.
The match was the first meeting between the two sides in their history with stocky Hwange forward Francisco Zikumbawire threatening each time he gained possession both inside and outside the box in the early stages.
In the seventh minute he swept past Hillary Gravel before wasting his effort.
Five minutes later he once againtested Alexander Useni forcing him into a full stretch dive to the left forsafety.
In the 17th minute it was the right upright post to stop him dead with the busmen’s backline and goalkeeper at sea. Once they had survived Hardbody crept back in the 23rd minute with Richard Jongwe forcing a timely clearance off Gerald Ndhlovu.
Reading the pressure from the terraces, Gumbo brought in Mageja and this became the game’s turning point and almost immediately set up an attack but it was up to no avail.
In the 54th minute Mageja’s header probed Sibanda who needed a second attempt to firmly ensure safety but in the 63rd minute he just could not be stopped.
Marime set up Mageja on the run on the right flank before drilling the ball past stranded Sibanda for the opener and this gave the new boys the impetus.
On the 70th minute, the busmen won a corner, which was flighted from the right and much to the chagrin of the visitors the entire defence and Sibanda missed allowing Marime to tap home for the second and ultimately the winner.
Hwange coach Tennant Chilumba conceded defeat and attributed it to lack of experience upfront.
“We played well in the opening half but we lacked experience toconvert the numerous chances that came our way. When we thought aseasoned player like Gilbert Zulu was going to change the game for usit was never to be.
Teams:
Hardbody: Alexander Useni, Hillary Gravel, Cornillius, Simango, Brian Juru, Andrew Chuma, Joseph Matambo (Michael Mageja 46th minute), Alick Marime, Irvine Mugwamba, Richard Jongwe (Nhlanhla Ncube 73rd minute) and Clifford Nyoni (Roy Useni 77th minute).
Hwange: Timothy Sibanda, Eric Chipeta, Munyaradzi Mungadzi, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Francisco Zikumbawire, Farai Vimisai (Gilbert Zulu 65th minute), Winstone Mhango, Tongai Mamina (Allan Tavarwisa 40th minute), Malvern Longwe, Gerald Ndhlovu and Aaron Katebe.
Online Reporter