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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi—
Chiredzi FC 1-2 How Mine
CASTLE Lager Premiership debutants Chiredzi FC’s woes continued yesterday after suffering another defeat at home against How Mine at Chishamiso Stadium. The Moses Chunga coached side’s troubles started as early as their second game of the season when they were beaten by bitter rivals Triangle FC 3-1 before Highlanders walloped them 3-0.
Last Saturday “Nyuchi Dzegonera” as Chiredzi FC are affectionately known, travelled to Kadoma where they lost 2-1 against Black Rhinos.
Yesterday, it was Kudakwashe Musharu who came to haunt the Lowveld based side with a well deserved brace in the 44th and 45th minutes of the match.
Chiredzi FC substitute Norman Maroto who came in for Malvern Gaki in the second half scored the consolation goal in the 82nd minute.
How Mine head coach Philani Ncube said his team was under pressure in the second half while his attacking midfielder Fungai Chirinda was red carded during added time.
“We were under pressure during the second half. Chiredzi played a good game but we managed to walk away with three points. I am however not happy with Chiridza’s red card. That was just a silly mistake which someone like him should have avoided,” he said.
His counterpart Moses Chunga said his strike force was a cause for concern as it failed to convert chances.
“We are dominating possession in most of our matches but we are not scoring. We are just conceding silly goals. Look the second goal we conceded that was a silly one. We cannot continue to do that at this stage,” said Chunga.
Chiredzi were far the better side in the first half and almost took the lead in the seventh minute but there was no one to finish off Rowen Nenzou’s free kick inside the box.
Chiredzi FC missed another clear chance in the 38th minute when Phillip Nelson headed wide Nenzou’s freekick with goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura a beaten man.
The visitors who were in their shell for the greater part of the first half opened the scoring in the 44th minute through Musharu after connecting a Wonder Sithole cross from the left flank.
Musharu was at it again a minute later when Sithole fed him before he slotted the ball home for his second goal of the match.
There was nothing to write home about in the second half as How Mine slowed the pace of the game but the home side’s Sam Msimbu almost pulled one back but his shot missed the target in the 72nd minute.
The substitution of Malvern Gaki for Norman Maroto in the 80th minute paid dividends three minutes later when Maroto scored from his first touch after being fed by Munyaradzi Chiwara.
As they pushed for an equaliser Mazarura was equal to the task when he saved Wellington Kamudyariwa’s thunderbolt for a corner kick in the 86th minute.
How Mine saw their midfielder Chirinda red carded for a second bookable offence in optional time.
Meanwhile, Gilbert Banda was in the team yesterday despite head coach Philani Ncube saying he might have played for the club for the last time after missing training last week. The former Warriors and Highlanders defender missed action after a relative was mugged in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb.
Teams
Chiredzi FC
S Kafitire, T Mpungu, G Kwaramba, D Bakali, P Nelson (K Matogo), J Dzingai, M Chiwara, R Nenzou (W Kamudyariwa 55th minute), M Gaki (N Maroto 81st minute), S Msimbu, T Dephistara.
How Mine
E Mazurura, X Moyo, B Dube, G Banda, G Magariro, E Muzanenhamo, F Chirinda, M Mupera, K Musharu, W Sithole (J Chitereki 69th minute), T Masuku
(B Marere 38th minute)
Online Reporter