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The busmen’s lack of striking options was exposed when gaffer Tavaka Gumbo started with three strikers — Callisto Maheya, Michael Mageja and former Lancashire Steel forward Malvern Nyakabangwe — and when it was evident that a change in personnel was needed upfront the dreadlocked mentor was stranded as the only other option, Alick Marime, was out with an injury.
The 3 000-strong, predominantly Hardbody crowd, expressed their displeasure by whistling at Gumbo to make a change but the former Shushine midfield maestro was unperturbed and stuck to his guns.
The draw leaves the Gweru-based side in the murky waters of relegation with seven points.
Watosvorwa, who are on the verge of clinching a sponsorship deal with a fastfoods chain, were the first off the blocks when they scored the quickest goal of the season so far after 30 seconds when Maheya connected a Richard Jongwe cross from outside the box.
Jongwe had received a pass from Cornelius Simango before charging towards goal where he beat two Harare City defenders before sending in a cross which was missed by Mageja but found the Hardbody captain perfectly positioned and had the easiest of tasks to fire from range past a stranded Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, the goalkeeper of the Sunshine Boys.
Harare almost levelled terms four minutes later when Godfrey Nguwodzawo’s cross found an unmarked Nathan Ziwini in the box and with the goalkeeper to beat he shot wide.
However, the municipal side never gave up and found their goal through Crybert Muguti who tucked a fine grounder to the corner of the net after a pass from Nguwodzawo.
After the goal both sides withdrew into their cocoons and were content with going to the breather on level terms.
It was in the second half that Watosvorwa’s lack of a sure-footed finisher was exposed when they took the game to their opponents and dominated the exchanges.
The best chance of the afternoon fell to Nhlanhla Ncube in the 59th minute when he failed to tuck the ball into the yawning Harare goal completely missing after a perfect cross from Nyakabangwe with the Harare defence at sea.
Impressive rightback, Irvine Mugwamba almost handed the visitors the winner in the 68th minute when he headed into his own goal but the danger was averted by an alert Useni who cleared the ball for a corner kick.
Mageja almost gave the T and H Transpor-sponsored side maximum points but was let down by his first touch inside the box and the ball was safely collected by the Harare City goalie. After the match both coaches were satisfied with the result but Harare mentor Darlington Dodo had no kind words for the match officials led by Bryton Malandule whom he accused of biased officiating.
“It was a good game and it was unfortunate that we conceded a silly goal in the first 30 seconds but overall we played well considering we were away from home. Under the circumstances, I feel hard done by some of the decisions by the referee,” Dodo said.
His counterpart Gumbo said: “We were missing the final touch but the display shows we are playing well and my plea to the supporters is to be patient. Overall it was a good game and I am happy with the result.”
Teams
Hardbody: Alexander Useni, Cornelius Simango, Brian Juru, Andrew Chuma, Callisto Maheya, Malvern Nyakabangwe, Michael Mageja, Nhlanhla Ncube, Hillary Gravel, Irvine Mugwamba, Richard Jongwe
Harare City: Maxwell Nyamupanedengu, Regis Dongo, Raymond Uchena, Crybert Muvuti (Felix Kuswatuka 56th minute), Kamalongoshi Chidzero, Petros Titus, Godfery Nguwodzawo (Raphael Manuvire 80th minute), Edgar Tapera, Witness Nyamusaka, Ronald Maketo (Ronald Maketo 67th minute), Nathan Ziwini.
Online Reporter