adminFrom Tobias Mandoreba in HWANGE
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
Bantu Rovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
HWANGE kept their sights firmly glued on the Castle Lager Premier League soccer crown with a convincing display to silence visiting Bantu Rovers at the Colliery yesterday.
The coalminers’ title ambitions had received a jolt when they lost 2-0 to How Mine at Luveve last weekend but the Nation Dube coached lads quickly redeemed themselves with a hearty performance yesterday, especially in the opening half.
The draw between ZPC Kariba and Highlanders at Gwanzura in Harare yesterday came as sweet music in the ears of the coal miners who took full advantage to shoot back to the top of the log standings.
Straight from Bulawayo referee Allan Basvi’s whistle, Hwange were off the blocks as they created a chance in the opening minute which fell to stocky midfielder Richard Jongwe who, however, disappointed by miscuing his effort in front of a yawning net.
His dipping volley on the quarter hour mark was more precise as it required the agility of Bantu goalminder Brighton Chipula who went airborne to tip his effort for a corner.
The hosts’ probing finally paid off in the 29th minute when Evans Rusike hit the back of the nets.
Chipula had brilliantly parried Hwange striker Gilbert Zulu’s goal-bound effort which fell into the path of defender Zephania Ngodzo who attempted to clear only for his effort to awkwardly bounce off Rusike’s knee into the back of the nets in a cruel twist of fate that left Rovers a goal down at that stage of the match.
Bantu Rovers’ first realistic chance of scoring came five minutes after the breather when Proud Zireni’s scorching 30-metre drive almost eluded young Hwange goalminder Takabva Mawaya who had tipped as the former unleashed the stinger.
Luckily for Mawaya, he managed to produce a fingertip save to push the ball over for Rovers’ first corner of the day.
It was such a dull opening stanza for the visitors which forced coach Methembe Ndlovu into making two substitutions in the opening 37 minutes when he dragged out Bukhosi Sibanda and Moses Majika for Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Thandazani Ndlovu respectively.
Bantu Rovers’ trip from Bulawayo then turned into a nightmare in the 42nd minute when Eric Chipeta converted a penalty after Zulu was tripped inside the box as he prepared to pull the trigger.
The second half was a much better affair for Bantu Rovers as substitute Kutinyu and overlapping right back Bongani Sikwili both inspired their team with some lovely build-ups which sadly failed to yield the much-needed breakthrough.
Hwange goalkeepers’ coach Chenjerayi Dube was all smiles after the game.
“We played well especially in the first half but I admit that Bantu came attacking in the second half but the damage had already been done,” he said.
Methembe Ndlovu, the Bantu Rovers gaffer accepted defeat and said it was time to move forward.
“I think we played a good game but it was not our day, we are now looking forward to the next match so that we try and get a result,” he said.
Teams
Hwange: T. Mawaya, P. Dube,E. Chipeta, G. Ndlovu, M. Mungadze (P. Mpelele, 67th minute), A. Tshuma, R. Chinyengetere (O. Lungu, 83rd minute); T. Chese, R. Jongwe(N. Sianchali, 58th minute), G. Zulu, E. Rusike.
Bantu Rovers: B. Chipula, Z. Ngodzo, E. Tshuma, M. Mlangeni, B. Phiri, B. Sibanda (T. Kutinyu, 37th minute), M. Majika (T. Ndlovu, 28th minute), B. Sikwili (T. Ngwena, 67th minute), P. Zireni, F. Ncube, S. Dube.
Online Reporter