Ponyera powers Tsholotsho

Tsholotsho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 3
Hwange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

MOSTAFO PONYERA scored a lovely brace as financially struggling Tsholotsho ran riot in the second half to register their first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League win in eight matches at Luveve yesterday.

The home side, who got their third through Blessing Sibanda, had last won on May 14 – against Harare City at Rufaro – and yesterday’s victory saw them move one place up to 14th on the log.

Tsholotsho showed the zeal yesterday, making 17 attempts at goal.

Coach Lizwe Sweswe was bubbly after the final whistle.

“I am excited, we were playing well but we were not scoring goals. I knew we would come right one day.

“The boys were motivated, they have got the zeal to climb mountains. The second half belonged to the players and I give them credit,” said Sweswe.

The gaffer had some words of praise for Ponyera.

“He is a goal scorer and I was surprised why he was not scoring of late. Even at training he scores a lot of goals.”

Prior to yesterday’s game, Tsholotsho had gone for 360 minutes without finding the back of the net but Ponyera turned on the power in the second stanza.

He thrust his side into the lead with a header six minutes after restart before he completed his brace in style in the 73rd minute.

Ponyera turned Hwange defender Tonisani Sibelo on the left side before he let fly a scorcher that went in off the upright post.

Hwange coach, Mebelo Njekwa, whose side were coming from a morale boosting 2-1 midweek win over FC Platinum, questioned his players’ mental approach to the game.

“The mental approach, especially in the first half, was not okay.You could tell by the body language and the way we let in soft goals. They say embarrassment is worse than death,” said Njekwa.