Mutare City shock How Mine

Ray Bande in Mutare
Mutare City Rovers . . . . . . . . (0) 1
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0
RUSAPE-BASED referee Brighton Chimene’s highly questionable decisions against Mutare City Rovers could not stop the 10-man home team romp to victory against a complacent How Mine side in the Castle Lager Premiership soccer tie at Sakubva yesterday. ZIFA Women Soccer League board member (Competitions), Cecilia Gambe, could not contain her emotions in face of “biased match officiating” as she invaded the pitch in the 44th minute, charged towards the referee and made the obscene middle finger gesture.

The derogative gesture is widely known to communicate extreme contempt. Gambe was shouting unprintable words as she invaded the pitch. Emotions started running high in the terraces 27 minutes into the match when Chimene sent Mutare City Rovers’ player Derby Duri for an early shower after a late lunge from behind on How Mine’s Charles Sibanda, in an incident many neutrals felt the referee was too harsh, even though at law he could have been right.

Things got worse as the match progressed, with almost every other call by the referee going against the home team.

With only a minute remaining before half-time, Chimene awarded an indirect kick to How Mine just outside the box and a yellow card for man-of-the match Sam Musimbu after the latter’s clumsy challenge on striker Kuda Musharu.

In executing the indirect kick, Kudzai Chideu set up Qard Amini, whose shot went way off the target but the referee instantly ordered a retake, ostensibly under the pretext that the City Rovers wall had moved before How Mine players had contact with the ball.

Nonetheless, Gambe could not stomach the decision by Chimene to award a retake of the indirect kick, rushed onto the field of play, charged towards Chimene making the obscene middle finger gesture. She, however, instantly left the match venue soon after the incident.

From the onset, both teams exchanged raids but the visitors appeared to enjoy more ball possession although they somehow lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. Mutare City Rovers also had their moments but for the greater part of the first half, the side failed to break the visitor’s offside traps.

Ten minutes before regulation time, referee Chimene awarded an indirect kick to the home team just outside the box, after second half substitute Fungai Chirinda’s infringement on Musimbu.

In the resultant set piece, diminutive City Rovers player Hibron Makukutu set up Steven “Dealer” Sibanda, who made no mistake as he drilled a hard-and-low shot past the wall, leaving Munyaradzi Diya a well beaten man.

Teams
Mutare City Rovers: P. Nhete; E. Sinaputa; A. Nyakabawo; C. Muzawazi; W. Mapfumo; B. Mukwena; S. Musimbu; D. Duri; T. Chibwana; K. Gururure (S. Sibanda 55th minute); C. Masocha (H. Makukutu 75th minute).

How Mine: M. Diya; V. Kamhuka; Q. Amini; K. Chideu; M. Sakala; C. Sibanda; T. Khumbuyani; P. Manhanga (G. Nguwodzawo 55th minute); T. Ranthokoane; K. Musharu; M. Masuku.

How Mine coach Kevin Kaindu conceded that his players were their own worst enemies as they approached the match with complacency and their play never reflected the star-studded outfit they are on paper.

“I told my players that we could be our own opponents even before the match started. It was the attitude that was not good. They played thinking that they had already won the match.

“If you watched the match, you could tell that my players were playing like they had already won it,” said Kaindu.

His opposite number, Taku Shariwa, who has now won two matches in a row after taking over the hot seat three weeks ago, said it was vital to collect their first set of maximum points at home.

“I told my players that they should not be intimidated by the big names in our opponents’ line up. Instead, they should play their usual game. They did just that and it worked well for us.

“We are continuing with our quest to evade relegation and it is good that we have started picking up points. We hope we will remain on that track,” said Shariwa.

Teams

Mutare City Rovers: P. Nhete; E. Sinaputa; A. Nyakabawo; C. Muzawazi; W. Mapfumo; B. Mukwena; S. Musimbu; D. Duri; T. Chibwana; K. Gururure (S. Sibanda 55th minute); C. Masocha (H. Makukutu 75th minute).

How Mine: M. Diya; V. Kamhuka; Q. Amini; K. Chideu; M. Sakala; C. Sibanda; T. Khumbuyani; P. Manhanga (G. Nguwodzawo 55th minute); T. Ranthokoane; K. Musharu; M. Masuku.