Mangwiro in trouble at Harare City

Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Harare City ………………………………………………… (0) 2
Flame Lily ………………………………………………….. (1) 2
HARARE City fans demanded the immediate firing of coach Taurai Mangwiro after watching the municipal side play their eighth draw in 16 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches at Rufaro yesterday. City midfielder James Jam scored a brace, which was sandwiched by Flame Lily’s James Chivasa and Brighton Chandisaita’s penalty, before being sent off for remonstrating with the referee’s decision to award the prison wardens a spot kick.

The spotlight, however, fell on Mangwiro after the match as fans sang songs denigrating the coach with the police battling to push them away from City’s team bus.
“I don’t know where the issue of pressure is coming from. I am not under pressure because our target has always been a top six finish and I think we are well on course,” said Mangwiro when asked if he was not feeling the heat.

“We wanted maximum points and I think we had done well until a decision was given against us at a time when we were trying to consolidate our grip on the match.
“I am yet to know what really happened with Jam resulting in the red card but it’s understandable because he had scored a brace and was trying to defend his goals.”

Flame Lily’s Chivasa announced his arrival onto the big stage with a goal 10 minutes into the match, pouncing on a loose ball to beat an exposed Tafadzwa Dube in goals for the hosts.

After the interval Mangwiro pulled out an out of sorts Honey Chimutimunzeve for Osborn Mukuradare and with barely a minute on the field of play, Mukuradare did well to set Jam whose powerful shot was too good for Prosper Chigumba.

With 20 minutes to play, a fired up Tino Kadewere outpaced Flame Lily defenders wide on the left, waited for support and delightfully passed responsibility to Jam who responded with another well taken shot to give City the lead.

City’s celebration was, however, shot-lived as midfielder Tendai Samanja handled in the box and referee Norman Matemera rightly pointed to the spot.
The seemingly ageless Chandisaita sent Dube the wrong way.

Flame Lily coach Backlyfield Chivenga, who is yet to taste defeat since taking over the reins from Nesbert Saruchera, felt his charges deserved maximum points.
“Getting away with a point is better but I thought we deserved a better result,” said Chivenga.