Chronicle Editor
Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange 0-2 Black Rhinos
RELEGATION alarm bells are now ringing loudly at Hwange after the coalminers again disappointed their fans with another home loss to Black Rhinos in a Castle Lager Premiership match under sizzling temperatures at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.
Lot Chiwunga’s headed brace ended Rhinos’ nine match winless streak while condemning Hwange deeper into the chop zone.
Hwange had a bright start, with youthful striker Delic Murimba and midfielder Nathan Ziwini doing all the running in the Rhinos half but the final pass was a letdown.
Murimba missed a glorious opportunity in the 17th minute when he blazed over the bar from a few metres from a Ziwini sitter.
Rhinos’ first real chance came in the 25th minute when James Munkombwe’s free-kick from the edge of the box drew the best out of Hwange keeper Taimon Mvula.
There wasn’t much action until the second half when the soldiers came out firing with veteran Benjamin Marere commanding operations.
They raced into the lead in the 58th minute when Marere made a solo run in the middle of the park before releasing Munkombwe whose delicate cross was met with a flashing header by Chiwunga into the roof of the net.
Rhinos pressed on after the goal and Marere was unfortunate to smash his volley onto the crossbar in the 70th minute.
With Hwange fans already trooping home in agony in injury time, more heartache was to follow them as Chiwunga drove another dagger into their hearts with another header off substitute Sydney Linyama’s inviting cross.
Hwange coach Bigboy Mawiwi was at a loss for words after the final whistle.
“I am disappointed after another game where we play well, but concede soft goals and lose matches. We have to win the home game on Sunday to retain our slim hope of surviving,” said Mawiwi.
Rhinos’ coach Stix Mtizwa was all smiles.
“This is refreshing as we had gone for a long winless spell and I hope we can build from this positive outcome to fight for a decent finish at the end of the season,” said Mtizwa.
Teams
Hwange: T Mvula; K Matake; G Ndlovu; O Moyo; M Mekiwa; A Tshuma; S Gadzikwa (C Muvuti 67th min); N Ziwini; E Meleka (C Muleya 67th min); D Murimba (A Zulu 77th min)
Black Rhinos: H Rusawo; J Munkombwe; W Chakanyuka; S Jimu; B Homora; B Chandisaita; D Mudadi; F Banda (L Chinyama 75th min); G Chitsamba; B Marere (T Chigudu 90th min).
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