Hwange stun Bulawayo City

Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Bulawayo City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

HWANGE finally got the right formula to win a football match when a 62nd minute well-executed goal by substitute Shepherd Gadzikwa secured the much needed points for the coalminers at the Colliery yesterday. The victory was greeted with wild celebrations among the home fans who are clearly emotional and fearing for the worst as far the relegation matrix of the 2017 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is concerned.

A swift counter attack on the right flank orchestrated by striker Justine Kaunda, returning from a two-match suspension, saw substitute Admire Banda’s scorching grounder spilled by Bulawayo City goalkeeper Ndodana Sibanda leaving Gadzikwa with all the time in the world to pounce and stab home.

But the coalminers have to thank young goalkeeper Collen Phiri, thrown into the fray yesterday in place of first choice Taimon Mvula, for the maximum points as he produced the save of the afternoon deep into injury time to push a Sipho Ndlovu deflected effort out for a corner when he initially had gone the opposite direction when the shot was taken before it ricocheted off Melvin Mekiwa’s knee.

Phiri also made some superb saves throughout the match with the first one coming on the quarter hour mark when he heroically scooped the ball from former Hwange striker Newman Sianchali’s feet as he prepared to pull the trigger while unmarked inside the box. In a half clearly belonging to Bulawayo City, Morris Kadzola counted himself unlucky not to have put his side ahead in the 35th minute when he embarked on a solo run and unleashed a ferocious 40 metre drive which whistled past the right upright with Phiri diving in vain.

The second half introduction by Hwange coach Bigboy Mawiwi of throwing in Gadzikwa and Crybert Muvuti for Admire Banda and Nomore Chinyerere respectively shifted the pendulum in the miners’ favour as they started to harass the Bulawayo City who finally crumbled under pressure in the 62nd minute when Gadzikwa found the breakthrough.

Six minutes after his goal, Gadzikwa capped a fine day of heroics when he pushed out a flashing header by Trevor Ndlovu off the line with his knee with the entire Bulawayo City bench already celebrating. Meanwhile, Shabanie Mine enhanced their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League survival chances as they collected maximum points against basement club Bantu Rovers 1-3 who sank deeper into the murky waters at Luveve yesterday. A first half brace by Wellington Taderera and a second half strike from Admire Dzumbunu powered Shabanie Mine to victory.

Both teams went into the game on the back of impressive midweek results, with Bantu Rovers having held struggling Highlanders to a 0-0 draw while Shabanie Mine drew 1-1 against championship chasing Dynamos at Maglas.