adminthis Castle Lager Premier League tie at Maglas yesterday with Nelson Mazivise scoring his 10th goal of the season.
A minute after the breather the striker, who is on loan from neighbors FC Platinum, was fouled by the goalkeeper as he jumped to head the ball and the referee pointed to the spot.
Mazivise the send visitors’ goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi the wrong way.
Raymond Sibanda doubled the score, justifying his inclusion in the team after fans had been booing him, as he quickly reacted to a free-kick taken by Phillip Sithole and slotted the ball home in the 68th minute.
The visitors pulled one back in the 88th minute when a ball flighted from a corner kick from Makai “Jecha” Kawashu was punched into play by ‘keeper Victor Twaliki and Morgen Mungombe, who was lurking outside the box, volleyed home.
The hosts played well in the second half with Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Lennon Chisunga, and Pervington Zimunya and Taurai Rukanda stamping their authority.
Monoz should have broken the deadlock in the in 41st minute through Russel Madamombe, who was fed inside the box by Nyamandwe, but his effort was saved by the ‘keeper.
The hosts then took full control and Pervington Zimunya could have had his name on the score sheet in the 84th minute. The burly Caleb Masocha, who was introduced as a substitute, got the better of Brian Mapfumo and chipped the ball to an unmarked Zimunya who fired into the side netting from a good position.
Masocha then missed a golden opportunity when he was sent through by Mazivise in the 85th minute but, with only the ‘keeper to beat, he lost his footing and his shot was weak.
Shabanie coach, Luke Masomere, said his team was not targeting the championship.
“In football we say the best way to defend is to attack and the best way to avoid relegation is now,” said Masomere.
“We need 25 points to be out of danger and as we speak handitombozivi kuti tine mapoints mangani. I am happy that we won and there is consistency in my team. Shabanie is one of the teams to beat and when we play we motivate our opponents because we are doing very well. I have players who play as a team and it was a good performance from them.”
His counterpart Taurai Mangwiro said they played badly.
“We were our own worst enemies and we should have buried Shabanie in the first half but instead we gifted them with a penalty,” said Mangwiro.
“Shabanie also looked motivated following their 4-1 victory over Hwange. My players panicked but we are not losing hope.
“I am impressed by their performance but it doesn’t look good when you drop points.”
Teams
Shabanie Mine: V Twaliki, P Sithole, W Ngonya, S Muchabayiwa, R Mware, R Sibanda (S Choenda 87th), T Mombeshora, P Zimunya, T Rukanda, (C Masocha 77th ) N Mazivise
Mononmotapa: A Mukandi, B Mapfumo, T Ngulube, K Musharu 62nd ) (C Messi, T Nyamandwe, O Mwerahari, R Madamombe(N Melson 72nd), K Machona, M Kawashu, M Mungombe.
Online Reporter