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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine 0-0 Chapungu
NOT even the presence of the two leading goal scorers from last season could inspire How Mine in their opening match of the season as they were held to a goalless draw by visiting airmen Chapungu United at Luveve Stadium yesterday. Charles Sibanda and Kudakwashe Musharu who scored a total of 25 goals last season, could not even scare Chapungu who were the better side in the first half.
The scoreboard could, however, have been different in the 17th minute when a speculative shot by Gift Phiri missed the goal by inches for Chapungu.
In the 32nd minute, Sibanda playing in a deep midfield role, saw his shot from the edge of the box punched for a corner by an alert Talbert Shumba in goal for the tourists.
The resultant corner kick was however wasted as James Chitereki who had a good day in office on the left flank, took a weak shot that was easily dealt with by veteran Tafadzwa Mombeshora.
Another Chapungu veteran, Phillip Marufu, showed that he still has the legs to carry him, when he roasted stocky Nelson Tachi, got into the box and delivered an appetising cross but Donovan Bernard the How Mine goalkeeper made a clean catch.
The second half was another yawn even though How Mine upped their game and could actually have gone ahead when former Dynamos midfielder Devon Chafa let loose a pile driver from about 30 metres out that forced Shumba to acrobatically tip it over the bar. It was to be the last real action of the match.
“I’m happy with the performance of my players but we would have wanted a win. It’s clear now that we will have to fight like soldiers because of the big names that we have in our team, everyone will be coming for a kill,” said Luke Masomere, the How Mine coach.
He said his side had more goalscoring chances but failed to convert them into goals.
His counterpart, John Nyikadzino was happy with the point collected on the road.
“Our attacking third didn’t come to the party and I think that’s the area we’ve to work on as we prepare for game number two,” he said.
Teams
How Mine: D Bernard, T Kumbuyani, J Chitereki, M Mupera, N Tachi, D Chafa, B Marere, C Sibanda (H Masuku 88th minute), K Musharu, N Ndale (M Sibanda 66th minute), W Phiri
Unused subs: T Masuku, T January, M Kadzola, M Gutu, M Diya
Chapungu: T Shumba, W Ngonya, H Mugoniwa, M Muchangani, B Zabula, N Murisa, G Phiri (T Mangwendere 80th minute), T Mombeshora, M Mavuto (N Ncube 63rd minute), T Chitora, P Marufu
Unused subs: L Khimu, B Mbavarira, L Makura, M Dikinya, R Mazingi
Match Day One Results
Friday:
Harare City 0-1 Tsholotsho (S Gorogodyo 77th min)
Saturday:
Dynamos 3 (S Nhivi 12th minute, K Mwaramba 18th minute-og, Mukanga 81st minute) Buffaloes 0
FC Platinum 2 (W Musona 25th minute, D Ngoma 92nd minute) Dongo Sawmill 2 (P Madhazi 8th minute, B Dzumbunu 80th minute) ZPC Kariba 2 (R Manuvire pen 27th minute, A Nyamiwa 43th minute) Highlanders 0
Chicken Inn 2 (E Chirambadare 1st minute, M Katsvairo 49th minute) Flame Lily 1 (M Muponda 55th minute) Triangle 5-2 Hwange, Whawha FC 1 (O Lungu penalty 13th minute)
Caps United 2 ( R Mutuma 44th and 45th minute) How Mine 0-0 Chapungu
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter