adminISHMAEL Lawe scored a brace to help his new team Monomotapa win their first Castle Lager Premiership match for 2013 at Gwanzura yesterday.
After a false start in their opening assignment on Good Friday when they narrowly lost 3-2 to Black Rhinos, Monoz got it right with two first half goals.
Former Gunners striker Lawe, found the opener in the 14th minute, when he headed into the nets off a cross from defender Charles Rukwani.
But Buffaloes cancelled the goal in the 29th minute when former Shabanie Mine midfielder Michael Mageja turned in Steven Sibanda’s cross from a corner.
However, a determined Monomotapa restored their lead five minutes later, when Lawe released a shot from outside the box to beat Buffaloes goalkeeper Hopeful Bere, who could have done better.
The hosts had a number of chances in the opening period and skipper Kuda Musharu could have found the target in the 10th minute but shot wide after receiving a fine cross from Ronald Chitiyo, who had done some fine work on the flank.
It was the same story nine minutes later, when Monoz midfielder Clive Boroma, watched in agony as Bere saved his long range effort.
The Mutare-based side had their moment in the 25th minute when former Hwange midfielder Tawanda Mareya’s header was cleared off the line.
Lawe had a chance to grab a hat-trick in the second period but he squandered a fine 79th minute opportunity when he just failed to fire home when left unmarked.
Monomotapa coach Biggie Zuze said the new striker may add the needed depth upfront which his team lacked last season.
The Mbada Diamonds Cup runners-up had a good run last season and finished fourth on the Premiership standings but they lost a number of key players during the off-season break.
“Last year, we had problems in finishing but the positive thing is Lawe is always there, he is new in the team and will score goals for us.
“Artwell (Mukandi), was a good goalkeeper for us and he kept us in the game in most of the matches but l am hoping for the best from the new goalkeeper as the season progresses.
“Today we created chances either half and managed to defend in the dying stages of the match.
“In terms of results, it was a much better game but in terms of performance we were a bit slow because in the first match against Black Rhinos we played very well though we lost the match.
“Our strength is playing attacking football, we always emphasise on ball passing and l think with time we will come up with a good team,” said Zuze.
Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka was left still searching for his first win after losing the opening match on Good Friday.
In the first match, Buffaloes lost to FC Platinum at home and Chaminuka believes they still have a lot of work to do if they are to survive relegation.
“We want to think that when you defend and give away soft goals you will lose matches. It was the same story in the first match. We conceded an early goal and were now playing under pressure and even when we equalised, we presented them with an easy chance to score before we could settle again.
“We are short on fire power and we really need to work hard especially in the first 20 minutes and avoid conceding early goals. The most important thing is to survive relegation and we have to do well in the first 10 games then we can start talking about other things,” said Chaminuka.
Teams:
Monomotapa: T. Zvaita, J. Tigere, C. Rukwani, N. Meson, L. Sithole, P. Tonha, R. Chitiyo, C. Boroma, H. Mugoniwa, K. Musharu (Z. Biseki 62nd minute), I. Lawe (I. Wandi 84th minute).
Buffaloes: H. Bere, N. Musvira, F. Banda, T. Ndlovu, L. Chakoroma, P. Alfasi, M. Mageja, W. Sithole (R. Mwenga 52nd minute), D. Zimbango (J. Muzokomba 74th minute), S. Sibanda, T. Mareya.
Online Reporter