Monoz fall to Hwange

Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
Monomotapa……………………………………….0
Hwange…………………………………………..(2)3HWANGE bounced back to winning ways after a three-match drought and they did it in style when they overpowered Monomotapa in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro yesterday.

However, the victory did not count much for the miners on the log table as they remained unmoved on fourth place from the bottom.
They now have 21 points while Monoz are a place above with 22 points.

Hwange sealed their win in the last five minutes of the opening half when Farai Vimisayi struck in the 40th minute and Richard Jongwe added another just before the break.

Veteran striker Gilbert Zulu then capped a fine day in the office for the coalminers when he struck in the 85th minute.
Monomotapa, who were playing good football, were heavily punished for failing to utilise the numerous chances that came their way in the opening minutes.

Former Hwange striker Allan Tavarwisa was playing his first match for Monoz following his move from DeMbare a week ago but he could not hit back at the coalminers as he missed a lot of chances.

He could have scored at least two goals before the visitors found the target.
But it was Hwange, who were celebrating the first real chance that came their way when Vimisayi’s cracker beat Monoz goalkeeper Tapiwa Zvaita.
Even before Monoz had recovered, Jongwe converted following a good move by defender Eric Chipeta.

Warriors centre back Chipeta, who was enjoying his game, then watched in agony as his cracking shot was turned away for a corner by Zvaita in the 84th minute.

The resultant corner, which Chipeta took, produced the third goal as Zulu simply finished the good delivery.
There was no coming back for Biggie Zuze’s men, who are without a win in their last two matches.

Zuze said the lengthy break could have affected his players as they fizzled out in the later stages of the match.
“The rust affected us. As you can see, we played good football in the first half especially in the first 30 minutes where we had three clear chances.

“I give credit to Hwange. They came on strongly in the second half. We were a bit slow and this is also a wake up call that we have to continue working hard if we are to finish in the top six.

“The players made a lot of mistakes but we have to lift ourselves up and prepare for the coming matches,” said Zuze.
Hwange goalkeeper’s coach Chenjerai Dube was happy with the victory.

“I am happy. We haven’t been winning but finally God smiled on us. At least we will have somewhere to start from. I cannot say we are in the relegation zone and these three points should take us somewhere.

“When Monomotapa came to Hwange we couldn’t score so today we were working on our finishing. We know they are good when in possession of the ball but it becomes a different story when they lose it,” said Dube.
Teams:
Monomotapa: T. Zvaita, C. Rukwanhi, H. Mugoniwa, M. Mungombe, Z. Biseki, A. Murimba, L. Sithole, K. Musharu (T. Munetsi 64th minute), R. Chitiyo, M. Nelson (C. Boroma 46th minute), A. Tavarwisa.
Hwange: M. Takabva, E. Chipeta, G. Ndlovu, M. Mungadze, D. Boriwondo, P. Mpelele, O. Lungu, A. Chuma, F. Vimisayi (N. Siwela 84th minute), G. Zulu (M. Mpofu 30 minutes), R. Jongwe (E. Rusike 71st minute).