adminHow Mine at Maglas yesterday.
The asbestos miners got the all-important goals from Fungai Chirinda in the 27th minute and a firm header by the Kadoma-born Tafadzwa”Lecture”Mombeshora four minutes after the breather.
The match had started a quarter of an hour late following the after the late arrival of first assistant referee Sebastian Mutambisi who claimed that his car had been impounded by the highway traffic police at Guinea Fowl.
Mombeshora who was a marvel to watch at Eiffel Flats before his move to CAPS United seems to have matured with age.
After losing the boardroom decision on the fate of their abandoned game against Harare City which saw them being slapped with a US$8 000 fine and the game warded to the Sunshine Boys on a 3-0 scoreline, Luke Masomere’s men somewhat made amends by winning yesterday.
The asbestos miners have been struggling financially and had Masomere sending alarm bells that he was on his way out last week.
They came into yesterday’s match as the underdogs but former Gunners hitman Chirinda who showcased some of his skills was the first to lead the celebrations.
Former Gunners striker Valentine Ndaba’s well taken corner was met by the alert midfielder with a very powerful shot that shook the roof of the nets with goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumhiremhete at the wrong end of the action.
Munyaradzi Kunyarimwe then released a stinger in the 49th minute which Gumhiremhete did well to tip over the bar for a corner.
But from the resultant piece Shabanie found the target when William Ngonya’s cross was met by Mombeshora who used his height advantage to rise and place the ball past Gumhiremhete.
Shabanie then took control of the proceedings with a passing game, one of the best to be seen at Maglas this season.
Former Highlanders striker Tarisai Rukanda had the ball at the back of the nets from another corner by Ngonya but his effort was disallowed by Gweru referee Thomas Massa.
Besides the setback Shabanie continued to push forward and in the 79th minute Ndaba easily found his way past the How Mine defence and laid the ball onto Caleb Masocha whose scorcher in the box was blocked by the alert Gumhiremhete.
How Mine’s chance of coming back into the game fell in the 80th minute when the visitors caught the Shabanie Mine defence sleeping.
Simbarashe Sithole won the ball on the left and a cross in the box to unmarked Nqobile Mpala and Josphat Phiri
but the two strikers with only goalkeeper Victor Twaliki at their mercy directed their effort wide.
Twaliki who had one of his best games saw his efforts well complimented by Pardon Marima who endured two seasons of not playing football as he was suspended for indiscpline.
Former Masvingo United player Pervington Zimunya also troubled Hebert Dick and Khumbulani Banda whom he sold a cheeky dummy in the 83rd minute.
“I am very happy about the victory.It was pleasing to beat one of the best teams in the league. I had planned well for them and we give credit to ourselves.
“We had a lot of information about them and we are going to continue to work hard. I am not going to talk about my intentions to move now” Masomere said.
His counterpart Philani Mabhena was disappointed.
“The result is not pleasing after losing another set of three points in our previous match. We are going to work hard as we prepare for the clash against Triangle. We lacked firepower upfront and I need to add two strikers,” Mabhena said.
Shabanie now occupy eighth place with 17 points and they leapfrogged Buffaloes, Monomotapa, Hwange and Black Mambas.
Teams:
Shabanie Mine: V Twaliki ,W Ngonya ,B Mbavarira ,P Marima ,T
Mombeshora ,F Chirinda ,V Ndaba (E Phiri 89th min ) ,P Zimunya ,C Masocha,T Rukanda (N Hunga 89th min )
How Mine:P Gumiremhete ,B Choto ,K Banda ,N Tachi ,H Dick ,O Mpofu(J Phiri 76th min ) ,M Mupera ,T Masuku ,W Dube ,N Mpala (T Moyo 54th min), S Sithole .
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