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Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
How Mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1
Tsholotsho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
TSHOLOTSHO goalkeeper, Mariyoni Chang pulled all the stops to deny a determined How Mine to earn his side a point in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Luveve Stadium.
How Mine, who lost their opening fixture to ZPC Kariba, showed eagerness to bag their first three set of points throughout the match but Chang dashed their hopes as he kept the home side’s strikers at bay with crucial saves particularly in the second half.
The gold miners had better possession, with more shots at goal but the visitors also held their own but shots on target were few and far in between.
Tsholotsho’s Bruno Madanhire nearly opened the scoring in the 26th minute when he received the ball just outside the box only to hesitate since thought he was offside but the flag did not go up and with How Mine goalkeeper Donovan Bernard beaten, the ball bounced off the far post.
Referee, Bekezela Makeka denied the visitors what seemed like a genuine penalty in the 37th minute when Madanhire was brought down by Bernard as he had beaten him but the striker was instead booked for simulation.
Action swung to the other end with Tsepo Ranthokoane’s curling shot being blocked by Chang in the 40th minute. How Mine finally found the back of the net on the stroke of halftime when Milton Ncube crossed the ball from the right flank and Pasca Manhanga found an unmarked Timothy January who slotted it in at the far post.
The home side came back more determined from the break but Chang was resolute saving four point blank shots to keep his side in the game.
Tsholotsho got its equaliser from Trust Nyabinde in the 71st minute when he pushed it in after his side had received a corner kick.
How Mine coach, Kelvin Kaindu felt Chang proved the difference as his side did all they could to snatch the three points.
“It’s unfortunate we dropped vital points I think it is challenge because it is the same way we performed in derbies last season but the team able was able to create many chances a sign that we are heading somewhere although we lacked precision,” he said.
Tsholotsho gaffer, Farai Tawachera was happy snatching the point but felt his side should improve in the final third.
Teams
How Mine: D Bernard, P Tonha, B Mbiriri (N Ndale 84 mins), N Ndlovu, M Sakala, M Mukumba, P Manhanga (T Makanda, 80 mins), T Banda, M Ncube, T January, T Ranthokoane (A Muganyi 74 mins)
Tsholotsho: M Chang, N Siwela, X Ndlovu, G Mukambi, T Nyabinde, P Zirengwa (M Phiri 62 mins), M Mushonga, B Madanhire (A Ncube, 68 mins), C Nkomo, N Gama (N Moyo 62 mins), T Chimenya
Results
Friday: Yadah 1- 0 ZPC Kariba
Yesterday: Black Rhinos 1-0 Chapungu, How Mine 1-1 Tsholotsho, Bulawayo City 2-1 Chicken Inn, FC Platinum 3-2 Bantu Rovers.
Fixtures: Today: Caps United v Harare City (NSS), Triangle v Dynamos (Baobab), Highlanders v Shabanie (B/F), Hwange v Ngezi Platinum (Colliery)
Bongani Ndlovu