Hwange sail through to final

Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange 3-1 ZPC Hwange
HWANGE FC stormed into the final of the Landa John Nkomo Memorial Cup after dispatching archrivals ZPC Hwange in a semi-final contest played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Hwange coach Nation Dube chose to field a second string team, with Craven Banda the only regular player in the starting lineup.

The coalminers raced into the lead as early as the sixth minute through striker Tendai Mate who banged home from close after some fancy footwork by midfielder Marlvern Longwe saw him carve open the ZPC Hwange defence before his shot deflected off defender Lindelani Ncube on to the path of Mate who stabbed home with composure.

After the goal, Hwange surprisingly put their foot off the pedal to allow ZPC Hwange to claw their way back into the game with some methodical build ups revolving around ex player Nomore Chinyerere and former Chicken Inn player Thomas Chimenya.

ZPC Hwange gaffer Njabulo Dube’s game plan then suffered a huge knock on the stroke of half-time after midfielder Fortune Nkomazana was sent for an early shower when he received a straight red card for abusive language towards referee Eugene Ngoma.

ZPC Hwange came back from the breather determined to make a mockery of their numerical disadvantage but their determination was broken in the 51st minute when Morestuff Ncube grabbed the second goal for Hwange after a swift counter attack.

The visitors’ day turned from bad to worse in the 65th minute when Ted Ncube slotted in a third goal for Chipangano.

Longwe took the Hwange fans down memory lane with a flash of brilliance as his mesmerising and defence splitting cross was complemented with a good delivery into the box by Mate into the path of Ncube who slotted home past a bemused Harmony Nare.

ZPC Hwange substitute Mlungisi Ndlovu gave the scoreline some decency with a well executed goal ten minutes from time which awkwardly bounced in front of third choice goalkeeper Charles Sibanda into the nets but the damage had already been done.

Hwange will now meet Talen Vision in the final of the cup.

— @tobymandox