adminMonoz who are poor travellers had lost to Quelaton in a midweek clash. But they kept their good home form to come from 2-0 down to eventually claim the priceless points in yesterday’s match in which half a dozen goals were produced in dramatic fashion.
Hardbody had drawn first blood in the third minute via striker Aleck Marime and when forgotten midfielder Malvern Nyakabangwe struck in the 44th minute it
seemed to give the Gweru visitors a comfortable lead.
But Monoz Ronald Chitiyo came from the bench to score a brace in the 71st minute and 79th minute while Tawanda Nyamandwe also netted a double inside two minutes with the seasoned striker finding his goals in the 72nd and 74th minute.
That four-minute goal salvo turned the game on its head and in the end debutants Hardbody left Harare empty-handed.
Marime got the opener when he received a through pass from Richard Jongwe who had worked his way past the Monoz defence and goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi watched helplessly as the ball sailed into the nets.
On stoppage time of the first period, Monomotapa defender Wonder Kapinda, failed to clear a ball in the box and it fell onto the path of former Lancashire Steel and Masvingo United forward Nyakabangwe who buried the shot into the nets.
However, the former champions who have only lost one game at home to Gunners this season, regrouped and came back strongly, but Nyamandwe was guilty of missing some clear chances.
The introduction of Chitiyo and Osborne Mukuradare also added the cutting edge into the youthful Monoz team and in one of the raids Mukuradare whipped in a cross into the box, which Chitiyo headed home.
A minute later, in another quick counter attack, former Kiglon, Motor Action and Dynamos forward Nyamandwe got the ball from the flank and found his team’s equaliser.
But the drama was only starting and two minutes later Nyamandwe completed his brace and gave the hosts a lead for the first time in the game when his shot beat Hardbody goalkeeper Alexander Useni who was still smarting from conceding two quick goals.
Chitiyo then got the assurance goal five minutes later when he got to the end of a cross from Nyamandwe and his effort from a distance grazed the bar as it found its mark and torched celebrations from the paltry crowd which included Monomotapa juniors.
Hardbody coach Tavaka Gumbo said a momentarily lapse saw his charges concede two goals to remain deep in relegation waters.
“It happens. It’s a game of football. We only relaxed for about 10 minutes and conceded goals. It was lack of concentration. Every time we are taking the lead, but failing to defend it,’’ Gumbo said.
Monomotapa assistant coach Biggie Zuze admitted that they had lived dangerously as the visitors made them sweat for their victory.
“I think they gave us a good run. We made some mistakes in the first half and morale was down. The only message we gave them at half time was that the game is not yet over,” said Zuze.
Teams
Monomotapa: A. Mukandi, O. Mweraheri, M. Mungombe, W. Kapinda, H. Mugoniwa, T. Ngulube (R. Chitiyo 46th minute), B. Mapfumo, J. Mutambiranwa (O. Mukuradare 63rd minute), R. Madamombe, M. Kawashu (Z. Bizeki 84th minute).
Hardbody: A. Useni., B. Juru, A. Chuma, M. Nyakabangwe, N. Ncube, R. Useni, R. Jongwe, J. Mangiza (G. Hillary 46th minute) O. Motsi (M. Mageja 63rd minute), D. Mwanza, A. Marime (D. Mufudze 84th minute).
Online Reporter