adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
Bantu Rovers 0-3 How Mine
GOLD miners How Mine sealed their place in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after thumping relegated Bantu Rovers at Hartsfield Grounds yesterday.
A brace from Godfrey Nguwodzawo and a well taken penalty by Kuda Musharu, who took his goal tally to 12, the same as Highlanders’ Charles Sibanda, was enough to seal a comfortable win for Luke Masomere who went on to declare that he was ready for Dynamos.
“I want to finish the season with How Mine without a loss and that includes the Dynamos game,” said Masomere who is yet to lose a league match as How Mine coach.
With the match evenly balanced, veteran Mernard Mupera released Musharu with a through pass before the former Monomotapa forward unselfishly laid a sitter for Nguwodzawo who had the easiest tasks of beating a diving Takunda Mutanga.
How Mine had earlier on suffered a blow when they lost star midfielder Louis Matawu in the 19th minute through injury.
He was replaced by Timothy January.
The two teams went to the breather with How Mine leading 1-0.
Bantu Rovers made an early substitution in the second half, taking out young Lucky Ndlela for former Soccer Star of the Year finalist Fortune Ncube.
It was, however, the gold miners who went two nil up through Nguwodzawo who was set up by veteran Wonder Sithole in the 58th minute.
To their credit Bantu Rovers never gave up the fight as they stretched How Mine to the limit with Obadiah Tarumbwa always a constant threat whenever in possession.
Bukhosi Sibanda shook his head in disbelief in the 69th minute when his shot hit the upright post with How Mine goalkeeper Bernard Donovan completely beaten.
Referee Hardly Ndazi flashed a second yellow card to How Mine’s Morris Kadzola for a deliberate handball but three minutes later Musharu scored the third goal after he was hacked down inside the box by Bongani Sikhwili forcing the match official to point to the spot.
Musharu took responsibility and coolly slotted home to increase his goal tally to 12.
“We made too many mistakes and that’s what cost us dearly. It was a difficult season for us especially on the field of play but business-wise this was one of our best ever seasons, we are happy with what we have achieved,” said Bantu coach Methembe Ndlovu.
He said his club sold two players to big clubs and leagues in the world, Netherlands and South Africa respectively.
Marvellous Nakamba moved to Vitesse in the Netherlands while Kudakwashe Mahachi was bought by Mamelodi Sundowns.
An elated Masomere said he was happy with the result and declared that he wanted to finish the season on a high note.
“I am happy with the results and also the fact that while I am building the team for next year, we are also posting positive results,” he said.
Teams
Bantu Rovers: T Mutanga, B Sikhwili, Z Ngodzo, L Ndlela (F Ncube 46th minute), B Sibanda, T Hadebe, M Mlangeni (B Ngwenya 86th minute), O Tarumbwa, M Majika, N Masuku, G Moraka
How Mine: B Donovan, M Kadzolam N Mukumbi, N Tach, J Chitereki, M Mupera, L Matawu (T January 19th minute), K Musharu, G Nguwodzawo (E Muzanenhamo 88th minute), T Masuku, W Sitholea (G Banda 85th minute).
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Week 29 Results
Saturday: ZPC Kariba 2-1 Dynamos, Chicken Inn 2-0 Buffaloes
Yesterday: Shabanie 2-1 Highlanders, How Mine 3-0 Bantu Rovers, Triangle United 1-0 Chiredzi, Caps United 1-1 Harare City, Chapungu 1-0 Black Rhinos, Hwange 0-1 FC Platinum
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