adminNelson Mazivise once again proved that he is a prolific striker when he scored his 10th goal of the season from the spot.
A minute after the breather the striker who is on loan from neighbours FC Platinum was fouled by the goalkeeper as he jumped to head the ball and the referee pointed to the spot. It was a gift goal from the Monomotapa rearguard after they were caught napping by the asbestos miners.
The striker sent the visitors goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi the wrong way, sparking wild celebrations for the miners.
Raymond Sibanda, another FC Platinum son, doubled the score when he justified his inclusion in the team. Fans had been whistling from the stand for him to be substituted but he rose from the ashes when he quickly reacted to a free kick from Phillip Sithole and slotted the ball home in the 68th minute.
The visitors pulled one back with two minutes to full time. A corner kick by Shabanie Mine son Makai Kawashu now turning out for the Harare side was punched into play by goalkeeper Victor Twaliki and Morgen Mungombe who was lurking outside the box sent a volley that whistled past the Shabanie defenders and the goalkeeper.
Monomotapa, who are one of the teams that plays a passing football in the country, played well in the first half but were made to rue the chances they missed although the game seemed to have been a balanced affair.
Monoz failed to score in the 41st minute through Russel Madamombe who was fed in the box by Tawanda Nyamandwe but he saw his effort saved by Twaliki.
Madamombe then shook his head in disbelief when his ferocious shot in the 53rd minute was headed out of danger by Smart Muchabayiwa who stood resolute in defence thwarting all the raids by Monomotapa.
It was then the home side’s turn to miss when Mukandi blocked the strikers’ effort in the 59th minute after a good effort from Tarisai Rukanda who was full of running the whole afternoon. Rukanda who was deemed excess baggage by former Highlanders coach Mohammed Fathi reacted to the rebound but again the Monoz goalminder saved his effort from close range for a corner.
Two minutes after the miss by Shabanie, Mazivise saw his effort from a cross by Sithole sailing over the bar with Mukandi a well-beaten man.
Pervington Zimunya could have had his name on the score sheet in the 84th minutre. The burly Caleb Masocha who was introduced as a substitute made the better of Brian Mapfumo and sent a clever chip to unmarked Zimunya who only managed to hit the side net with Mukandi outdrawn and fans already at the edge of their seats celebrating.
Masocha was then to miss a golden opportunity when he was sent through by Mazivise in the 85th minute but with only Mukandi to beat he lost his footing and fell in the box shooting weakly at goal.
Monoz dictated the pace in midfield with Nyamandwe,Madamombe,Kawashu and Obey Mwerahari giving the hosts a torrid time each time they were in possession especially in the first half where they seemed to be a better side.
The hosts in return played well in the second half with Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Lennon Chisunga, Pervington Zimunya and Rukanda giving all the energy they had to make sure the hosts collected maximum points. It was also befitting to see the FC Platinum executive in full support of their neighbours with their treasurer Elton Nyoka clad in Shabanie regalia.
It was a match Shabanie could have scored half a dozen goals and Luke Masomere refused to admit that he was targeting to clinch the championship.
“In football we say the best way to defend is to attack and the best way to avoid relegation is now. 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,” he said.
His counterpart Taurai Mangwiro could not believe the result as he took time pondering on the pitch after the final whistle.
“We were our own worst enemies and we should have buried Shabanie in the first half but instead we gifted them with a penalty. 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 does not tell when you drop points.”
Monoz’s next game is against FC Platinum in the capital next weekend.
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