adminSikhumbuzo Moyo in Bulawayo
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)2
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
VETERAN Hwange goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda gifted How Mine with two priceless goals in a game the coal miners totally dominated at Luveve yesterday.
Joint 2014 Golden Boot winner Kudakwashe Musharu opened the scoring for the Luke Masomere coached gold miners in the 11th minute when he headed in a Wonder Sithole free-kick from the edge of the box.
Sibanda, a former national team trialist, was adjudged to have fouled a charging How Mine forward and from the resultant set piece, the gold miners surged ahead.
The goal was simply priceless.
“We were lucky to emerge winners. Hwange played well and were far much better than us,” said Masomere.
In an evenly balanced match, the visitors tried to crack open the home side’s defence but Nelson Tachi was always their biggest hurdle.
It was unfortunate that he had to be substituted through an injury, making way for former Highlanders skipper Gilbert Banda three minutes before time.
Despite being down by a goal, Nation Dube’s boys kept pilling pressure on their hosts but could not penetrate the How Mine defence until the 25th minute when find of the season Newman Sianchali struck.
National team player, Evans Rusike roasted his marker on the right flank and flighted an inviting cross that found Sianchali properly positioned on the penalty spot, and the lanky forward had the easiest of tasks.
In the 33rd minute, Hwange goalie Sibanda was called into action when he acrobatically tipped over a Timothy January goal bound shot from inside the box.
The first half ended with the two sides level 1-1. Nine minutes into the second half, Sibanda gifted the hosts the winner after he spilled a harmless looking cross from the right flank and the ball fell to a grateful Limited Chikafa, who tapped into an empty net.
“We missed a number of chances but I am not happy with the first goal though,” said Dube.
He ruled out relegation for his team.
“It’s not an issue, we will survive,” he said.
Teams:
How Mine: M. Diya, T. Kumbuyani, J. Chitereki (M. Gutu, 74th min), M. Mupera, B. Marere, M. Kadzola, L. Chikafa, N. Tachi (G. Banda, 87th min), K Musharu, W Sithole (T Masuku 56th min), T January.
Hwange: T. Sibanda, A. Chuma, G. Ndlovu, D. Boriwondo, M. Mungadze, C. Muleya, F. Vimisai (G. Zulu, 70th min), P. Mphelele, R. Chinyengetere, E. Rusike, N. Sianchali.
Online Reporter