adminBruce Chikuni
HWANGE were given a reality check as they suffered a 0-1 defeat to Arenel Movers, their first of the ZIFA Southern Region Division One Soccer League campaign.
Brian Jaravaza’s solitary strike was enough to down Chipangano.
Going into the match, the coalminers were nine points clear at the top.
Arenel’s famous victory has now kept their championship hopes alive as they have narrowed the gap to six points.
It was a sweet revenge for Kudzayi Mhandire’s men, who had lost the reverse fixture by the same scoreline.
Mhandire told H-Metro that he blindsided his opponents by not playing his usual troops.
“I think the shuffling of players helped us a lot, they had planned for the players which we didn’t play.
“It’s a good feeling, of course, but the win gives us three points not six, so it’s just as good as any other game, the only difference is people are talking about us inflicting the first defeat to Hwange,” said Mhandire.
He said they were not surprised by the victory.
“We did expect the victory considering how we played at their home recently even though we failed to convert the dominance into goals.
“It’s a good feeling, which we need to carry forward, we need to be consistent in our performances.
“I would like to thank the boys for the victory, but for special praise I will single out Polite Mwenda, who was solid at the back, Reason Sibanda, who kept them on their toes and, obviously, the goalscorer Jaravaza.”
Hwange’s veteran forward, Shepherd Gahadzikwa, says the defeat was a wake-up call.
“We are still at the top, but I think we need to forget about the loss for a moment and start all over again,” said Gahadzikwa.
“We created our own chances but I believe it was a wake-up call and it wasn’t our day, they just created one chance and we were punished.
“We still believe we can win the championship, all we need to do is to keep the belief because we did some great things but when it’s not your day, there’s nothing you can do.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter