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Hardbody coach Tavaka “Dread” Gumbo had promised fireworks saying he was well prepared for the match as he had coached the asbestos miners before. He was made to swallow his words as his team succumbed to a solitary strike by man-of-the-moment Nelson Mazivisa.
The player who is on loan to the asbestos miners from FC Platinum topped the goal-scorers chart when he beat goalkeeper Alexander Useni in the 34th minute.
Caleb Masocha who was on form yesterday won the ball on the right near the centre and he used the advantage of his stocky body shrugging off the challenge of his marker and cleverly sent a curling pass into the box that saw Mazivisa sending a powerful shot from his right boot that hit the roof of the nets past the tall Hardbody goalminder who could not do anything to the effort.
The Shabanie fans who endured the pain of their team’s poor form last season as it spent the entire season fighting relegation are cherishing the moments of being on top of the log and they celebrate each win as if they have won a trophy.
The miners who meant serious business could have gone early into the lead in the 11th minute but Masocha shot wide after a good delivery from Tarisai Rukanda in the box.
It was then Mazivisa’s turn to head wide a cross from right back William Ngonya with the imposing Useni at his mercy.
The Masvingo referee Makonese Masakadza who had an impressive game did the visitors a big favour when he failed to send Callisto Maheya for an early shower when he handled in the Shabanie Mine box. Maheya had earlier been shown the yellow card in the 13th minute.
After the breather Shabanie Mine continued to pile a lot of pressure but Useni was the stumbling block as he kept the scoreline respectable. The asbestos miners won a free kick near the visitors’ area and Philimon Mudune released a stinger that the goalkeeper parried back into play and his alert defenders cleared the ball to safety.
Gifford Mchiwa who had a good game despite fans whistling for him to be substituted missed a seater in the 50th minute when he came face to face with Useni but hesitated to shoot at goal and the ball was eventually cleared.
Former Highlanders hitman Rukanda who had the defenders back-pedalling each time he was in possession won the ball at the centre and raced towards goal before releasing a stinger from his right but the ball missed the target.
Hardbody, who fielded former Shabanie Mine striker Michael Mageja and Aleck Marime, who is on loan from FC Platinum were denied an equaliser by the hosts’ defence which comprised captain Rodney Mware, Boniface Dimanji,Area Phiri and goalkeeper Victor Twaliki who is improving with each outing.
Online Reporter