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Tobias Mandoreba-Hwange Correspondent
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
HWANGE will not go down without a fight and yesterday they overcame former title contenders Manica Diamonds in an explosive Castle Lager Premier Soccer league match played at the Colliery.
The game against the Gem Boys was a must-win for the coal miners, and as expected, they went off the blocks in search of a quick opener.
At the end of the afternoon, the Chipangano faithful muttered silent prayers to their football gods after goals by Marcelline Mlilo and defender Raymond Uchena left them on cloud nine.
Attacking midfielder Mlilo, now renowned for being a dead ball specialist, thrust the coalminers into the lead after 20 minutes with a spectacular freekick from the edge of the box that left Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba stranded.
The hosts were smelling blood, and they could have doubled their advantage five minutes later after another freekick from Claivert Tshuma deceived the visitors’ defence to leave veteran midfielder Shepherd Gadzikwa with acres of space to head the ball only for his effort to hit the cross bar with Chitsumba again a mere spectator.
Manica Diamonds’ changes at the start of the second half, introducing Tawanda Macheke and Kudzanayi Dhemera for Brett Amidu and Gerald Bero respectively, tilted the scales in their favour. The visitors camped in the Hwange half in search of an equaliser.
It was not a surprise as they were duly rewarded for their sweat on the hour mark through Jeffrey Takunda, who scored from close range after a goalmouth melee.
The temporary setback didn’t dampen Chipangano’s spirits as they restored their lead eight minutes later through defender Uchena, who rose high to connect a curling Ralyton Maphosa freekick into the nets to seal Manica Diamonds’ fate.
It was a nervy end for the home fans in the last quarter when coach Jairos Tapera threw in speedy strikers Fortune Binzi and Michael Tapera for Charles Teguru and Evans Katema but the coalminers defended for dear life to the end.
Hwange coach Rodwell Dhlakama was a relieved man.
“I am very happy with the result and especially the fight which the boys exhibited throughout the contest against tricky opponents.
“Yes we are celebrating the win but we should not lose focus of the battles ahead as we continue fighting to stay afloat. With such mentality like what we witnessed today we can bring smiles to the entire Hwange family at the end of the season,” said Dhlakama.
Tapera bemoaned the way his charges defended set pieces that resulted in the loss.
“It was not a good day in office for us as we were made to pay dearly for failing to deal with set pieces but such is football, we have to regroup and work on our mistakes,” said Tapera.
HWANGE: Takabva Mawaya; Jofias Mumpande; Kelly Shiyandindi; Raymond Uchena; Marcelline Mlilo ( Prosper Mathe 60th min); Winston Mhango; Shepard Gadzikwa; Claivert Tshuma; Pritchard Mpelele ( Remmington Masuku 75th min); Ralyton Maphosa; Dominic Chungwa
MANICA DIAMONDS: Geoffrey Chitsumba;( Tedious Baye 75th min) Lawrence Masibera; Farai Banda; Tawanda Chisi; Kelvin Gwao; Jeffrey Takunda; Nigel Mupinduki; Brett Amidu ( Tawanda Macheke 46th min); Charlies Teguru ( Michael Tapera 75th min) ; Gerald Bero( Kudzanayi Dhemere 46th min); Evans Katema ( Fortune Binzi 75th min)
Online Reporter