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Ngqwele Dube
How Mine………………………………………………………….….. (0) 1
Tsholotsho………………………………………………………….…….…. 0
HOW Mine returned to winning ways as they piled on the misery on Tsholotsho with a single strike by Tapiwa Kumbuyani in a lukewarm Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday afternoon.
The 52nd minute header by Kumbuyani handed Iziqholo zeZhwane their third defeat on the trot as the new boys struggle to find their feet in the Premiership.
Coming from defeats during midweek games the two teams were eager to stamp their authority in the early stages but it proved to be an evenly balanced affair.
Chances were far and few in between for both sides in the first half but it was How Mine who knocked on Tsholotsho goal first, with the visiting side’s goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang having to jump high to punch out a header from Charles
Sibanda after Wonder Sithole had flighted in an inviting cross from the left flank in the 12th minute.
The 19th minute saw Timothy January unleash a stinging shot from just outside the box which Chang fumbled and Sibanda headed it past the “keeper” but Thandolwenkosi Ncube was at hand to clear the ball off the line.
Tsholotsho’s Kudzanai Machazane pulled a shot as he was advancing towards goal in the 32nd minute but Munyaradzi Diya, in between the posts for How Mine, blocked the ball for a corner.
How Mine came back in the second half with a renewed sense of urgency and as they piled on the pressure they were awarded a free kick on the right flank that was taken by Sithole who found captain Gilbert Banda on the far side. Banda pushed the ball inside the box with a header and it found Kumbuyani who beat Chang with a powerful header.
Tsholotsho had an opportunity to level the scores when MacClive Phiri spotted an unmarked Machazane inside the box but the former Bosso striker shot wide when it seemed easier to score as he was facing Diya, who was already down.
How Mine coach Luke Masomere was pleased with the win saying his team was slowly getting better with time.
“I think we are starting to play well and we are overcoming the struggles that seemed to be affecting us at the beginning. We also played well in Zvishavane but could not find the net and I am glad Sibanda’s game is getting better and he played well today while Banda was also at his best,” he said.
Injuries to Nyasha Mukumbi, Limited Chikafa and Nelson Tachi’s suspension saw How Mine making some changes in the starting line-up and bringing in Banda and Sibanda.
Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe lamented his team’s failure to get goals despite playing well but was optimistic going forward.
“This is just a bad patch we are going through and I believe we will come right soon. We are failing to bury the chances we are creating as you saw we had a lot of chances but going into the final third we were not as sharp otherwise we could have salvaged a draw,” he said.
Teams
How Mine: M Diya, T Kumbuyani, M Gutu, M Mupera, G Banda, M Kadzola, W Sithole, H Masuku, K Musharu, C Sibanda, T January
Tsholotsho: M Chang, M Phiri, R Bot, D Dzivinyai, T Ncube, B Ncube, G Takwara (N Gama 8 minutes), O Ncube (D Chavunduka 80 minutes), S Gorogodyo (E Phiri 59 minutes), K Machazane, W Stima
Online Reporter