How Mine FC win, move up

Buffaloes FC defender Phillip Chandisaita clears the ball under challenge from How Mine FC striker Mgcini Sibanda at Luveve Stadium yesterday

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
How Mine 1-0 Buffaloes
A first half goal by Timothy January at Luveve Stadium was enough to move How Mine FC into championship contention, as they now trail pacesetters Chicken Inn by a single point. The gold miners are now third on the league table, tied on 29 points with Triangle United after dislodging defending champions Dynamos, who played to a goalless draw with Hwange.

January ghosted from the blind side to tap in a Tapiwa Kumbuyani cross in the 31st minute.

The goal came after a beautiful build-up, which the miners had probably worked on, at the training ground.

Menard Mupera switched the ball onto the path of overlapping right back Kumbuyani, who responded with a perfect delivery into the box and Kuda Musharu failed to head in, but January was on hand to side-foot it into an empty net.

Despite his boys thrusting themselves into the championship race, How Mine coach Luke Masomere said they were not after the title.

“I think in terms of collecting positive results, we’re doing well. We’re now within reach of the leading pack and we’re seeing ourselves positioned in the championship fight. The championship isn’t our target this year; we want it next season and this is just a rehearsal for next year,” said Masomere.

Buffaloes had a decent start, stringing a lot of passes in the midfield, but failed to penetrate the home side’s defence marshalled by Gilbert Banda.

The visitors’ backline always looked cagey and struggled to deal with Kumbuyani’s crosses into the box. The How Mine wingback seemed to have opened a highway on the right side, giving his team the edge, but most of his crosses were wasted.

In the ninth minute, Young Warriors’ striker Mgcini Sibanda almost beat Buffaloes’ keeper Chengetai Tandadzayi on the near post after cleverly connecting a Kumbuyani cross.

Kumbuyani’s persistency paid off just after the half-hour mark when January tapped in his cross.

After creating the goal, Kumbuyani came to How Mine’s rescue when he threw his body to block a Roy Mwenga goal-bound shot in the 35th minute.

The ball fell to his teammate Mupera, who handled just outside the box. However, George Mukahanana’s attempt from the resultant free-kick was punched away by the alert How Mine goalie Donovan Bernard.

How Mine could have made the game safe just after the break, but January and Musharu took turns to miss from close range.

Bernard then kept his team in the game by producing two top drawer saves. First he denied Phillip Thembani, who had roasted Moses Gutu before firing at goal, but the young goal minder punched it away to safety.

The Young Warriors’ keeper then blocked a Mukahanana curler four minutes before the end of the game.

Buffaloes’ coach Saul Chaminuka blamed poor finishing for his side’s defeat.

“I think we played well but failed to convert our chances. Collecting a point in three games isn’t good enough, but I know we’ll get it right soon,” said Chaminuka.

Teams
How Mine: Donovan Bernard, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Moses Gutu, Gilbert Banda, Nelson Tachi, Menard Mupera, Benjamin Marere (Heritein Masuku, 80th minute), Thembani Masuku, Timothy January (Nefitary Ndale, 90th minute), Kuda Musharu, Mgcini Sibanda (Godfrey Nguwodzawo, 69th minute).

Buffaloes: Chengetai Tandadzayi, Kudzanayi Mwaramba, George Mukahanana, Phillip Chandisaita, Josephy Jambo, takunda Jefrey, Shepherd Nkata, Roy Mwenga (Vincent Makaha, 57th minute), Jacob Muzokomba, Mushunje Barnabus, Phillip Thembani.

Results
Yesterday: How Mine 1-0 Buffaloes, Dynamos 0-0 Hwange, Triangle 0-0 Highlanders, Whawha 0-0 Dongo Sawmills.

Saturday: Chicken Inn 0-0 Caps United, FC Platinum 2-0 Chapungu, Harare City 2-2 Flame Lily.

Friday: Tsholotsho 0-0 ZPC Kariba.

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

*Chicken Inn 15 9 3 3 21 10 10 30

Triangle United 16 8 5 3 31 12 19 29

How Mine 16 8 5 3 23 13 10 29

Dynamos 16 7 7 2 15 10 5 28

FC Platinum 16 7 4 5 29 17 12 26

Caps United 16 6 7 3 12 12 0 25

Harare City 16 5 8 3 18 13 5 23