adminbut those who came to watch game at Ascot were treated to a lively encounter.
Shabanie controlled proceedings in the first half and it was no surprise when they surged ahead in the 39th minute through the country’s leading marksman, Nelson Maziwisa who took his goal tally to 17.
The hosts inspired by slippery winger Nhlanhla Ncube who had come in for Owen Motsi in the 42 minute came back all guns blazing in the second half.
Their blistering start to the second half only took 10 minutes to yield an equaliser through the Ncube , who in a moment of individual brilliance roasted two Shabanie Mine defenders before unleashing a scorcher from close range which the visitors goalie, Roy Mazingi could do nothing to prevent it going into the nets.
“Watosvorwa” were left cursing their gods as they failed to utilise their dominance into goals and unlike Shabanie who left Ascot content with the point, the point for the home side did little to move them out of the danger zone as they are still languishing in the murky waters of relegation with 23 points.
With four rounds of matches remaining before the curtain comes down on the season, Hardbody will have to face Highlanders and Dynamos at home. It will be a tough call as DeMbare and Bosso are in the running for the championship.
Their other two matches are against Black Mambas and Hwange both who are equally haunted by relegation and probably only a Houdini act could see Hardbody surviving the dreaded chop.
After failing to convert many chances which came Shabanie’s way with the main culprit being Farai Mususunye who missed three glorious chances the onus fell on Maziwisa after some clever play by Roy Sibanda who collected the ball in his own half and found an unmarked Mususunye.
The latter cleverly flicked the ball to Maziwisa who beat the challenge of Hillary Gravel before firing to a badly exposed Hardbody goalkeeper, Ashley Rayners who blocked the effort but it was too powerful and nestled into the nets to give the asbestos miners the lead.
Coming from the breather a more purposeful side, Hardbody leveled proceedings when their captain Brian Juru released Nhlanhla Ncube on the right flank who left Boniface Dimanji and Smart Muchabaiwa for dead before firing from close range to send the predominantly home team fans into a delirium.
The goal seemed to have spurred the home team who had numerous chances which came their way but lack of precision in front of goal cost them.
Hardbody’s most glorious chance to collect maxiumum points came in the 82nd minute when Richard Jongwe was set up by Callisto Maheya before dribbling past two defenders and squared the ball which needed a simple tap in but could not find any takers in the box.
A visibly disappointed Hardbody assistant coach, Ndawana Dube said lack of precision in front of goal cost them the match. “We are disappointed with the result because we should have collected all the points but we did not convert our chances. We now need at least six points from our remaining matches to survive relegation now,” he said.
Elvis Muuya, the Chinda Boys assistant coach was equally disappointed for letting the hosts come back into the match. “We were in control of the match but we allowed them to come back into the game but that is football for you. Anyway the result is not that bad,” Muuya said.
Teams
Hardbody: Ashley Rayners, Joana Mangiza, Brian Juru, Andrew Chuma, Marlvern Nyakabangwe (C Maheya 46th min), Jacob Muzokomba (R Jongwe 70th min), Stephen Alimenda, Roy Useni, Hillary Gravel, Piniel Manhope, Owen Motsi (N Ncube 42nd min)
Shabanie Mine: Roy Mazingi, Phillip Sithole, Smart Muchabaiwa, Philimon Mudenha (F Kanda 83rd min) Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Boniface Dimanji, Raymond Sibanda, Nelson Maziwisa, Erea Phiri (C Masocha 85th min), Pervington Zimunya, Farai Mususunye.
Online Reporter