Chronicle Editor
Tobias Mandoreba, Hwange Correspondent
Hwange 2 – 0 CAPS United
RELEGATION-threatened Hwange FC did themselves a huge favour in their quest to survive the dreaded chop at the end of the season after putting a dazzling and blistering performance to silence visiting CAPS United in a cracking Castle Lager Premier League soccer match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Hwange are fighting to stay in the matrix of the elite league in 2025. Their approach to the game from the first whistle of referee Venancio Zulu demonstrated that the Coalminers are prepared to move mountains for their cause.
The opening 10 minutes could have decided Makepekepe’s fate had the Hwange strikeforce been more clinical and had the bite in front of goal.
Just two minutes into the contest, Hwange’s most outstanding player and creator of the team’s two goals, Claivert Tshuma held his head in disbelief as his screamer from inside the box was pushed for a corner kick by CAPS goalminder Ashley Reyners.
Two minutes later overlapping defender Raymond Uchena missed a sitter from a few metres out as Chipangano laid siege in the CAPS box.
This first six-minute spell saw Hwange force four consecutive corner kicks as CAPS struggled to settle under the simmering Hwange temperatures.
Makepekepe only got out of their shell in the 20th minute with their first shot on target through William Manondo which, however, landed safely in the gloves of towering Hwange goalie Takabva Mawaya.
The last half started with the same script of missed opportunities for Chipangano with Shepard Gadzikwa and Tshuma missing gilt-edged chances inside five minutes of this last episode.
The introduction of sleek and lanky midfielder Mongameli Tshuma for Marcelline Milo in the 57th minute added more firepower to the attack and 20 minutes from time the football gods finally smiled on Hwange with a cleverly headed goal by veteran striker Dominic Chungwa.
Chungwa came at the end of a teasing and defence-splitting cross from playmaker Claivert Tshuma to leave Hwange fans in delirium.
In the 83rd minute, Tshuma again returned to haunt the visitors as he laid another sitter for Gadzikwa who made no mistake with another header which deceived Reyners to leave the roaring Chipangano fans animated and on cloud nine.
It could have been worse for Makepekepe in injury time but Reyners showed his goalkeeping prowess with a top-drawer save to deny youthful substitute Quinton Longwe from a one-on-one situation.
Hwange fans will hope the Coalminers will take the brave performance into the last games as the league reaches the business end in which men will be separated from boys.
Rodwell Dhlakama was cool and modest in the aftermath of this crucial and morale-boosting win.
“I am very happy with the win and proud of the boys for their stellar performance to garner this crucial win. It is still a long way to go as far as the relegation fight is concerned but I am sure with such a fight we can bring smiles to Hwange fans at the end of the year,” he said.
Lloyd Chitembwe was slumped in his seat after the match and looked stunned by the result.
“The boys gave it their all but it was not to be as Hwange fought hard for the points. I would not want to talk too much about several things that happened as this is what happens in the game of football,” said Chitembwe.
HWANGE:
Takabva Mawaya; Gift Mbweti; Raymond Uchena; Kelly Shiyandindi; Ralyton Maphosa; Winston Mhango, Shepard Gadzikwa (Prosper Mathe 88th min); Claivert Tshuma; Marcelline Mlilo (Mongameli Tshuma 57th min); Dominic Chungwa (Sipho Ndlovu 80th min); Pritchard Mpelele (Quinton Longwe 88th min)
CAPS UNITED:
Ashley Reyners; Phineas Bamusi; Eric Manokore; Bruce Kangwa; Godlknows Murwira; Innocent Zambezi; Arnold Chapusha; Junior Bunjira; Lot Chiwungwa (Wayne Makiwa 78th min); Rodwell Chinyengetere; William Manondo (Courage Sithole 55th min)
derick.khumalo