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Tobias Mandoreba Hwange Correspondent
Hwange 2-0 Bantu Rovers
HWANGE kept their sights firmly glued on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League crown with a convincing display to silence visiting Bantu Rovers in a match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday. The coalminers’ title ambitions had received a jolt when they lost 2-0 to How Mine at Luveve on May 3 but the Nation Dube-coached lads quickly redeemed themselves with a hearty performance especially in the opening half.
The draw between ZPC Kariba and Highlanders in Harare yesterday came as sweet music to the miners who took full advantage to shoot back to the apex of the table.
Straight from Bulawayo referee Allan Basvi’s whistle, Hwange were off the blocks as they created a chance in the opening minute which fell to stocky midfielder Richard Jongwe who however disappointed his fans by miscuing his effort in front of a yawning goal.
His dipping volley on the quarter hour mark was more precise as it required the agility of Bantu goalminder Brighton “16 Minutes” Chipula who went airborne to tip the effort for a corner kick.
The hosts’ probing finally paid off in the 29th minute when Evans Rusike hit the back of the nets.
Chipula had brilliantly parried Hwange striker Gilbert Zulu’s goal-bound effort which fell onto the path of defender Zephaniah Ngodzo who attempted to clear only for his effort to awkwardly bounce off Rusike’s knee into the back of the nets in a cruel twist of fate that left Rovers a goal down.
Bantu’s first realistic chance came five minutes from the breather when Proud Zireni’s scorching 30 metre drive almost eluded young Hwange goal minder Takabva Mawaya who had tripped as the visitor unleashed the stinger.
Luckily for Mawaya, he managed to produce a finger-tip save to push the ball for Rovers’ first corner kick.
It was such a dull opening opening stanza for the visitors which forced coach Methembe Ndlovu into making two substitutions in the opening 37 minutes when he dragged out Bukhosi Sibanda and Moses Majika for Tafadzwa Kutinyu and Thandazani Ndlovu respectively.
Bantu Rovers’ trip from Bulawayo then turned into a nightmare in the 42nd minute when Eric Chipeta converted a penalty after Zulu was tripped inside the box as he prepared to pull the trigger.
The second half was a much better affair for Bantu Rovers as substitute Kutinyu and overlapping right back Bongani Sikwili both inspired their team with some lovely build ups which sadly failed to yield the much-needed breakthrough.
Hwange goalkeepers’ coach Chenjerai Dube was all smiles after the game.
“We played well especially in the first half but I admit that Bantu came attacking in the second half but the damage had already been done,” he said.
Ndlovu, the Bantu Rovers gaffer accepted defeat and said it was time to move forward.
“I think we played a good game but it was not our day. We are now looking forward to the next match so that we try and get a result,” Ndlovu said.
Teams
Hwange: T Mawaya, P Dube, E Chipeta, G Ndlovu, M Mungadze (P Mpelele 67th minute), A Tshuma, R Chinyengetere (O Lungu 83rd minute), T Chese, R Jongwe (N Sianchali 58th minute), G Zulu, E Rusike
Bantu Rovers: B Chipula, Z Ngodzo, E Tshuma, M Mlangeni, B Phiri, B Sibanda (T Kutinyu 37th minute), M Majika (T Ndlovu 28th minute), B Sikwili ( T Ngwena 67th minute), P Zireni, F Ncube, S Dube.
Online Reporter