How Mine pull plug on ZPC

Ricky Zililo in Bulawayo

How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2

ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

GOLD miners How Mine came from behind to snatch an emotional victory for their coach Luke Masomere over last season’s Castle Lager Premiership runners-up ZPC Kariba at Luveve yesterday.

ZPC Kariba controversially took the lead through a Julius Dauda free-kick in the 26th minute. Referee Hardly Ndazi blew for an infringement on a How Mine player when Dauda’s effort was in the air.

How Mine goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya and his defenders left the harmless effort hoping to take a free-kick but were shocked when the referee allowed the goal to stand, much to the disgruntlement of the home team’s players and supporters.

ZPC Kariba could have powered their way into a comfortable lead in first half added time but Thomas Magorimbo was denied by Nelson Tachi’s goal line clearance.

How Mine were unlucky not to draw level in the 50th minute when Menard Mupera’s shot cannoned off the cross bar with the ZPC Kariba keeper Liberty Chirava beaten.

Charles Sibanda, who came on for Netifary Ndale, breathed life into the gold miners’ attack and was the architect of both their goals.

In his first touch of the game, Sibanda struck a free-kick that was parried back into play by Chirava, but Mupera hit the woodwork.

In 55th minute, reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dennis Dauda used his hand to stop a Sibanda lob and Ndazi rightfully pointed to the spot.

And Mupera sent Chirava the wrong way to level the scores.

Six minute later, Wonder Sithole thrust How Mine into the lead through a well struck shot that hit the top corner. Kuda Musharu squared a pass into Sithole’s path and the former Dynamos midfielder hit a first time volley that sent the sizable How Mine supporters into frenzy.