adminthis year’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign with a spirited performance to force a goalless draw at the Colliery yesterday.
Both teams went into the match with contrasting tales from their mid-week matches.
For Hwange, it seemed they still had the hangover of that stunning and wildly celebrated 1-0 victory over former log leaders FC Platinum at Mandava while the Harare side was still smarting from a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of Highlanders.
But football has its own twists and turns. It became evident early in the game that Monomotapa had dusted themselves up from the embarrassing defeat by Bosso to produce some brilliant football while the hosts had to settle for the reality that the famous victory in Zvishavane is now history as more tricky battles are in store as the league inches towards the halfway mark.
Both teams settled early and it was Hwange who got the first realistic chance in the 11th minute when a two-man move involving Isaac Masame and Farai Vimisai ended with Monomotapa defender Jimmy Tigere having to make a brave and desperate sliding tackle before Masame could stab home from close-range.
Two minutes later the visitors also threatened but striker Ishmael Lawe shook his head in disbelief as he hit the side netting from close-range.
In the 25th minute Monoz threatened the home side when slippery striker Agrippa Murimba unleashed a ferocious grounder which was fumbled by Hwange goalie Timothy Sibanda, who must have muttered a silent prayer as the rebound trickled out for a corner.
Hwange then took the initiative and turned the screws on as the opening half progressed but the final and decisive pass proved to be their letdown.
With the hosts pouring forward, the visitors launched a dangerous counter-attack five minutes from the breather where their best chance of the day went begging after Hamilton Masumbuko’s goal bound effort was blocked by Hwange’s outstanding defender David Boriwondo before Sibanda had to summon his reflexes to push the rebound for another corner.
In an immediate response, dreadlocked midfielder Nkosana Siwela fluffed a golden opportunity to put Hwange ahead when he came at the end of a sitter by midfielder Andrew Tshuma but his effort from inside the Monoz defence zoomed way over the bar.
The second half was played at frenetic pace as both teams dished out some electrifying football which kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
Moments after the restart, Murimba proved he had left his shooting boots in Harare when he blasted the ball way off the target from the edge of the box after being cleverly set up by Masumbuko.
In the 55th minute, Hwange’s Vimisai also failed to exorcise the ghost of failing to score when he brooke loose inside the opponents’ box only to pull the trigger into the side netting.
It was his last contribution as he was pulled out on the hour mark for youthful and fast improving Tafara Chese who lifted the Hwange’s game by orchestrating some dangerous forays from the right flank, and with more luck on his side, he could have grabbed the all-important goal for his team.
Next in line to curse his lucky stars in the 65th minute was the home team’s striker Evans Rusike whose dipping volley beat goalkeeper Tapiwa Zvaita all systems out and crashed against the left upright post before a Monoz defender hooked the ball away to safety.
The game became a see-saw affair with both teams getting good scoring opportunities at both ends but still the goal proved elusive until the final whistle by impressive Hwange referee Bekezela Makeka.
Hwange coach Nation Dube admitted at the end that it was a tough match.
“It was a tough game where we played a very good team. Coming from a win (in mid-week) the boys somehow could not find the necessary rhythm to grab all the points.” said Dube.
His opposite number Biggie Zuze heaped lots of praise on his defence for a job welldone.
“We played very well and I would like to play tribute to the defence for a good day at the office.
Overally both teams played well and we hoped to get maximum points at the end of the day especially coming from that heavy defeat (by Highlanders).” he said.
Teams
Hwange: T. Sibanda; M. Mpofu; C. Banda; G. Ndlovu; D. Boriwondo; M. Mungadze; A. Tshuma; N. Siwela (P. Mpelele 70th minute); E. Rusike; I. Masame (E. Halungu 89th minute); F. Vimisai (T. Chese 60th minute).
Monomotapa: T. Zvaita; H. Masumbuko (C. Boroma 80th minute); L. Sithole; Z. Biseki; I. Lawe; A. Murimba (M. Nyanzira 67th minute); O. Mwerahari; P. Tonha (T. Munetsi 49th minute); J. Tigere; N. Meson; N. Guyo.
Online Reporter