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Hwange Correspondent
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
FC Platinum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
RELEGATION threatened Hwange demonstrated both their will and pedigree to ensure they shed their last drop of blood in their audacious bid to remain part of the Castle Lager Premier League family for the 2025 season.
The coalminers battled from behind to force a share of the points with former champions FC Platinum at the Colliery yesterday.
It had seemed to be heading to an afternoon of gloom when FC Platinum raced into a third minute lead with the visitor’s midfielder Shepherd Mhlanga, capitalising on some slack defending by the coalminers to score from inside the box with a seemingly harmless attempt.
It could have been worse for Chipangano five minutes later as Devine Mhindirira was allowed acres of space inside the Hwange box but he shot tamely into the gloves of Hwange goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya.
The coalminers only showed some life on the quarter-hour mark when Marcelline Mlilo came at the end of a teasing Prosper Mathe cross but the young forward directed his effort over the bar.
FC Platinum continued to dictate pace with some crisp and eye-catching passing football and it was no surprise as they increased their lead to 2 -0 after 26 minutes.
The Hwange defenders were once again guilty of ball-watching and allowed Panashe Mutimbanyoka to hit the nets from close range.
FC Platinum’s second goal left the home fans shell-shocked and fearing the worst.
But to their credit, Hwange started punching back with some incessant pressure revolving around Mathe, who was their outstanding player yesterday.
Their comeback kicked into motion on the half-hour mark when veteran striker Dominic Chungwa outpaced FC Platinum’s Mbongeni Ndlovu off a swift counter-attack to hammer home past a badly exposed Wallace Magalane.
The coalminers kept their feet on the pedal and pinned the visitors in their half and five minutes from the breather, the pressure paid off as Magalane’s attempted clearance under pressure ricocheted off speed merchant Shepard Gadzikwa into the back of the nets, much to the relief of the Hwange fans.
The last half was a typical football fiesta dished out to the huge crowd by the two teams who were fighting for different causes at different ends of the log standings.
With some bit of luck from the football gods, Hwange could have completely turned the game on its head as substitute Mongameli Tshuma hit the left upright on the hour with Magalane a beaten man.
Tshuma had come in for defender Ralyton Maphosa in the 37th minute.
In the dying stages, Chungwa fluffed a golden opportunity as he came face to face with Magalane but he chose to dribble past a defender first before shooting and instead made a meal of it.
It was a good chance to lose.
Hwange desperately needed maximum points especially at home to gain some ground over fellow-relegation candidates.
The coalminers now have 28 points with six games left in which they will face off against ZPC Kariba, Ngezi Platinum, GreeFuel, and Bikita Minerals away.
Hwange’s remaining home games are not easy either as they will host Manica Diamonds and Highlanders at home.
Despite managing just a point, Hwange coach Rodwell Dhlakama praised his men for their resilience and character.
“Credit to the boys for the fight and character to claw back from two goals down.
“We had a bad start by any stretch of the imagination but we worked on amending the early mistakes, and with a bit of precision we could have won the match.
“We will continue fighting to the end,” said Dhlakama.
FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza was bitter and very frustrated after the final whistle for letting up the two-goal cushion.
Mapeza has every reason to be disappointed as FC Platinum are the only team with a realistic chance of piping log leaders Simba Bhora to the league title.
“I am very disappointed with how we let in two soft goals. We dominated the match and honestly, we could have done better than what we did today,” he said.
TEAMS:
HWANGE: Takabva Mawaya; Gift Mbweti; Raymond Uchena; Kelly Shiyandindi; Ralyton Maphosa; (Mongameli Tshuma 37th min) Winston Mhango; Shepard Gadzikwa; Claivert Tshuma; Prosper Mathe (Remmington Masuku 77th min); Dominic Chungwa; Marcelline Mlilo
FC PLATINUM: Wallace Magalane; Lawrence Mhlanga; Mbongeni Ndlovu; Rainsome Pavari; Hagiazo Magaya; Devine Mhindirira; Shepard Mhlanga (Kelvin Mangiza 46th min); Wilfred Muvirimi (Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya 88th min); Panashe Matimbanyoka; Jarrison Selemani (Davison Marowa 65th min); Oscar Bhebhe (Juan Mutudza 65th min)
Online Reporter