Hwange, Gunners draw

A stuttering Hwange left all the doubting Thomases on their pre season declaration that they wanted to land the league title with a lot of credence after an uninspiring draw against Gunners in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League at the Colliery yesterday.
Hwange got an early reality check on the hard work they still need to do before they can dream of claiming the ultimate prize on the domestic scene.
Given that they have tricky successive away fixtures against Masvingo, Kiglon and Dynamos, Hwange on yesterday’s showing might go for a month without registering a point.
Apart from an early chance that fell to lanky defender David Borowondo when he was allowed a free header in the seventh minute, the hosts spent the entire first half treating fans to kick and run football, which left the impatient crowd whistling to show their disapproval.
Earlier Gunners had Hardlife Zireva watching in disbelief as his flashing header, off a Charles Mukuruva cross was smothered by agile Hwange goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda.
Chipangano again briefly poked their heads out of their blankets in the 17th minute when Simbarashe Jongwe combined well with Winston Muhango on the right flank before the latter released Zambian Kennedy Kashema whose goal-bound effort was desperately cleared by Elvis Meleka for a corner.
Veteran striker Leonard Tsipa thought he had grabbed the crucial goal for Chando Kupisa in the 34th minute after he connected a Hardlife Zvireva cross but his effort was rightly ruled offside by Bekezela Makeka.
Gunners started the last half on the offensive and substitute Prince Mbara was again denied by Timothy Sibanda in 55th minute after the striker had latched on a fine pass from fellow substitute Nathan Ziwini. Mbara and Ziwini had replaced Loyd Masakusi and Charles Mukuruva at the start of the second half and in the 52nd minute respectively.
Moments later Hwange’s Rodwell Chinyengetere’s flashing header drew the best out of Gunners goalkeeper George Chigova who went airborne to tip the ball out for a corner.
From then on it was the visitors who seized the initiative through the industry of Mbara, Ziwini and Ashley Rambanepasi, who had suddenly come alive in the second half.
Hwange have to reserve a special bottle of champagne for Timothy Sibanda for the precious point as the goalminder made four crucial saves from defender David Sengu, Meleka, Tsipa and Ziwini in the last 20 minutes.Young defender Blessing Sande also complemented Sibanda’s heroics with some resolute defending.
Hwange’s Zambian gaffer Tennant Chilumba admitted after the game that his team had struggled with their game.
“The lads didn’t play according to instructions and we are going to work on them in the next few games. We got a point which is better than nothing but I am positive we will get the results in the games to come.” said Chilumba.
Gunners’ Darlington Dodo paid tribute to his boys for “their fighting spirit”.
“It was a tough one and well balanced but I am happy with a point away from home,” said Dodo.
Chipangano will probably rue the absence of nomadic striker Tongai Magwendere who watched from the terraces since Hwange could not get the clearance letterfrom Gunners in time for the game.
It was also surprising for the hosts that captain Gerald Ndhlovu spent the whole match on the bench.
A colourful procession showcasing the Castle Lager brand was carried out from the Delta Beverages depot to the stadium, and the activity ignited the otherwise sleepy coal-mining town leaving the soccer fans with overflowing hopes for a better season.
Teams:
Hwange: T Sibanda; B Sande; A Tshuma; D Borowondo; A Katebe; K Kashema;M Chipunza; G Zulu; W Muhango (T Mamina 54th minute); R Chinyengetere; S Jongwe (NSiwela 64th minute).
Gunners: G Chigova; L Masakusi (P Mbara 46th minute); R Kola; C Mukuruva (N Ziwini 52nd minute); A Rambanepasi; L Tsipa; E Meleka; H Zvirekwi; C Sekete (M Moyo 85th minute); DSengu; R Sengu.