peter
Hwange Correspondent
Hwange 1-0 Yadah
THE blazing coal embers proved too hot to handle and neutralised the anointing oil as Chipangano started their 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season with a flying start after a hard-fought victory over Yadah FC at the Colliery Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Returning son and former FC Platinum player Gift Mbweti was the toast of the afternoon with a well-taken goal in the 17th minute which proved to be the winner.
A swift counter-attack by the coalminers saw a Yadah defender failing to clear his lines with the ball landing on the path of Mbweti who showed experience and composure to chip the ball past an outdrawn Yadah goalkeeper Marshall Takarinda.
Even the introduction of big signing Khama Billiat 15 minutes from time couldn’t pull the game out of the fire for Yadah as the coalminers defended for dear life up to the end.
To his credit, however, Billiat almost grabbed the headlines as he nearly scored for Yadah but his effort crashed against the left upright to leave Hwange fans relieved.
His warm-up on the touchline drew some wild reactions from the huge crowd as they whistled and cheered the legendary player.
The coalminers had a good first-half and could have wrapped up the match as a contest but they missed a glut of chances that came their way.
If it was not Hwange strikers missing chance after chance it was Takarinda who was a stumbling block in the opening stanza which could have embarrassed Yadah with a rugby scoreline deficit.
Takarinda denied Marcellin Mlilo thrice from point-blank range with midfielder Solomon Sithole also missing an easy chance in this period.
The visitors had a better last-half especially with the introduction of Vincent Sango for Munashe Chigwerewe on the hour mark as they camped in the Hwange half but the goal proved elusive.
Hwange new acquisitions of Mongameli Tshuma, Bhekani Sibanda, Prosper Mathe and Mbweti had good debut performances and complemented some equally good displays by veterans Shepard Gadzikwa, Canaan Nkomo and Solomon Sithole in the middle of the park.
Hwange assistant coach Obert Moyo praised the boys for a stellar performance.
“The boys did well and everything went according to plan. It is good to have such a result with some new players in the mix,” said Moyo, who stood in for Nation Dube who had lost his voice due to barking instructions from the touchline.
His opposite number Tinashe Ruzive accepted defeat but lauded his players for the fight.
“It was a game of two halves as they did better than us in the opening period but we played well in the last-half and with more precision we could have got something from the game.
“On Billiat being in the fold, I can say that he brings stability and experience to the team and he will bring in lots of positives going forward,” said Ruzive.
Teams
Hwange: Wellington Muuya; Jofias Mumpande; Bhekani Sibanda; Kelly Shiyandindi; Lucas Sibanda; Solomon Sithole; Shepard Gadzikwa; Canaan Nkomo; Mongameli Tshuma ( Prosper Mathe 65th minute); Gift Mbweti (Blessing Ngoma 65th minute); Marceline Mlilo ( Pritchard Mpelele 85th minute)
Yadah: Marshall Takarinda; Prosper Kafelapanjila; King Nadolo ( Khama Billiat 75th minute); Ariel Makopa; Marlon Mushonga; Blessed Ndereki (Charles Moffat 75th minute) ; Jerry Chipangura; Takunda Vareta; Junior Zindoga (Clive Mandivei 46th minute); Munashe Chigwerewe; Lennox Mucheto.
Online Reporter