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Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
CAPS United . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
RELEGATION-threatened Hwange did themselves a huge favour in their fight against demotion with a blistering performance that silenced fancied CAPS United in a cracking Castle Lager Premier League match at the Colliery yesterday.
Hwange are in the fight for their lives to stay in the matrix of the elite league in 2025 and their approach to the game from the first whistle demonstrated their intent.
They, however, had to wait until late on when Dominic Chungwa and Shepherd Gadzikwa found the goals that made all the difference.
The opening 10 minutes could have decided Makepekepe’s fate had the Hwange strike-force been more clinical in front of goal.
Just two minutes into the contest, Hwange’s most outstanding player and creator of Hwange’s two goals, Claivert Tshuma held his head in disbelief as his screamer from inside the box was pushed for a corner by CAPS goalminder Ashley Reyners.
Two minutes later overlapping defender Raymond Uchena missed a close chance from a few metres out as Chipangano laid siege in the CAPS United box.
Their early pressure saw Hwange force four consecutive corner kicks as CAPS United also struggled to settle down under the simmering Hwange temperatures.
The visitors only came out of their shell in the 20th minute with their first shot on target via William Manondo’s effort, which, however, landed safely into Takabva Mawaya’s hands.
The last half started with the same script of missed opportunities for Chipangano with Gadzikwa and Tshuma missing gilt-edged chances within five minutes of this last episode.
The introduction of sleek and lanky midfielder Mongameli Tshuma for Marcelline Milo in the 57th minute added more fire-power to Hwange’s attack and 20 minutes from time the football gods finally smiled on Hwange with a cleverly headed goal by veteran striker Chungwa.
Chungwa came at the end of a teasing cross from playmaker Claivert Tshuma.
In the 83rd minute, Tshuma again returned to haunt the visitors as he laid another fine pass for Gadzikwa who made no mistake with another header that deceived Reyners.
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 are separated from boys.
Their coach Rodwell Dhlakama was 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 fights we can bring smiles to Hwange fans at the end of the year,” he said.
Loyd Chitembwe remained rooted to his seat after the game and looked stunned by the result. “The boys gave it all but it was not to be as Hwange fought hard for the points.
“I would not want to talk too much on several things that happened as it is what happens in the game of football,” said Chitembwe.
Online Reporter