adminagainst stubborn Blue Rangers in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Gwanzura yesterday.
Monomotapa came into yesterday’s match a wounded lion having suffered a surprise 1-2 defeat to Shabanie Mine at Rufaro, in a game they dominated, in their last match.
Coach Biggie Zuze’s side enjoyed a lion’s share of possession in the first half as they created numerous chances but their strikers were wasteful or they found Rangers’ goalkeeper, Pedzisai Gumiremhete, in inspired form.
It was a game of two halves as both teams took turns to dominate with Monomotapa enjoying more possession in the first half before Blue Rangers controlled the proceedings in the second half.
Monomotapa piled on the pressure in the opening half but the goal remained elusive until the stroke of half-time when captain of the day, Kuda Musharu, put his side ahead.
Obey Mwerahari won possession in the centre circle and released Hillary Mugoniwa on the left who did well to beat his marker before crossing the ball for Musharu who made no mistake.
Blue Rangers’ coach Partson Ndabambi made double substitution a few minutes after the break, bringing in Phillip Nelson and McDonald Motsi for Hillary Chombe and Scholar Hadebe.
And the changes paid dividends as they breathed life into the Rangers’ midfield and they started dictating pace, asking Monomotapa defenders a lot of questions.
They were duly rewarded for their efforts in the 68th minute after Norest Mukwezaramba produced a moment of brilliance, roasting two defenders before placing the ball beyond ‘keeper Artwell Mukandi’s reach.
From there, the game could have gone either way in the last stages of the match but both sides failed to utilise chances that came their way.
Rangers’ coach Ndabambi blamed his players for gifting Monomotapa with a goal and believes his team won’t be relegated.
“We are our worst enemies because we gifted them with a goal on the half time stroke,” said Ndabambi.
“If we had gone to half time 0-0 maybe we could have won the match.
“The changes we made changed the complexion of our game and every time Nelson and Motsi come in as substitutes they perform well.
“Against FC Platinum they struggled that’s why I relegated them to the bench and you could see when they came in we were now quicker.
“We are still in with a fight and come end of season we will survive relegation,” said Ndabambi.
Monomotapa assistant coach, Nkululeko Dhlamini, said missed chances cost his team dearly.
Online Reporter