Hwange grab away point against Kiglon

VISITORS Hwange were made to sweat before they could claim a vital away point when they held Kiglon to a goalless draw in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Gwanzura yesterday.
Hosts Kiglon, who were coming from a 1-0 defeat to Zimbabwe Saints in their last game, started off the better of the two sides with some neat build-ups from the midfield but seemed to lose steam as the game progressed. In the end it was Hwange who enjoyed a slight edge but their finishing was poor.
From yesterday’s performance, it seems Kiglon only reserve their best for big teams as it was almost difficult to imagine that it was the same side that beat Dynamos 1-0 in their opening match of the season two weeks ago.
They were the first to take the initiative with a good move from the midfield involving captain Charles Mukanhairi and Conrad Whitby but Charlton Mashumba shot weakly from inside the penalty box and hios shot was comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda in the 10th minute.
Hwange, however, had an upper hand in the second half but their strikeforce was a big let down.
Kiglon were twice saved by the woodwork as Tongai Magwendere’s rising shot grazed the crossbar in the 76th minute with goalkeeper Stephen Chimusoro beaten. Substitute Nkosana Siwela also watched his effort come off the crossbar six minutes later after he had dispossessed defender Witness Nyamutsaka on the edge of the box.
In the end a draw was a fair result after Kiglon also failed to do justice to the few chances that came their way.
“We didn’t play as well as we could have wanted, especially in the first half but the second was much better.
“Obviously a point won is a point gained and that’s what is important.
“There are still many games to play in the season and we have to continue picking up points so that we don’t get into a precarious position where we have to fight relegation,” said Kiglon coach Rodwell Dhlakama.
Hwange, who opened their account this season with a 0-0 home draw against Gunners, continued with their slow march this season and are still searching for their first win following the 2-1 defeat to Masvingo last week.
Hwange coach Tennant Chilumba was left a dejected man as he adjusted to the reality that that his team is still sitting on two points from three games.
They drew 0-0 at home with Gunners in their first game.
“It’s still okay that we got a point away from home but we could have won this match after creating so many chances.
“But it was very disappointing that we failed to win especially with all the chances we created in the second half going to waste. This is a match that we could have won but it looks like our players are lacking maturity.
“It seems like they have no focus and as a professional you can’t succeed when you lack the spirit,” said Chilumba.
Teams:
Kiglon: S. Chimusoro, W. Chingodza, B. Gumbo, W. Nyamutsaka, D. Fourpence, M. Machazana, C. Whitby (Y. Chapfika, 85th minute), C. Mukanhairi, L. Chibwiro (W. Manondo, 60th minute), D. Chipala (P. Kaunda, 74th minute), C. Mashumba
Hwange: T. Sibanda, A. Chuma, D. Boriwondo, G. Ndlovu, A. Katebe, T. Magwendere, M. Chipunza, G. Zulu (S. Dube, 63rd minute), W. Mhango (N. Siwela, 65th minute), R. Chinyengetere, O. Mpofu.