adminNo-one could have predicted such a scoreline in a game which had a dull opening 30 minutes as both teams conspired to bore the crowd with uninspiring football which left the spectators feeling Hwange’s chilly weather as there was nothing to warm them up during that period.
The fans only woke up from their slumber in the 34th minute when the coalminers grabbed the opener through big striker Franseco Zekumbawire who connected a curling Munyaradzi Mungadze cross with a header that beat goalkeeper Victor Twaliki.
The visitors did not take long to respond to the setback as they started pushing Hwange to the ropes and twice they came close to scoring through midfielder Eria Phiri who however fluffed the opportunities that came his way.
The pressure paid off in the 44th minute when double scorer Nelson Mazivisa grabbed his first goal of the game, beating goalkeeper Petros Mhari.
This was after a defensive mix-up by the hosts left him face to face with goal minder Mhari, a chance he gratefully utilised.
Hwange could have restored their lead in the 58th minute but dreadlocked midfielder Nkosana Siwela watched in disbelief as his header, off a trademark cross by right back Tonisani Sibelo, grazed some paint off the left upright with goal minder Twaliki wrong-footed.
Hwange’s rearguard was again on a picnic in the 67th minute as they allowed Shabanie to take the lead after Johanne Chisunga capitalised on a spill by Mhari to hammer home from close range.
Play had to be stopped for five minutes after Mhari had to be attended to after picking up a knee injury during the goalmouth melee before the goal.
He was to be replaced in the 86th minute by reserve goalkeeper Tymon Mvula.
Mazivisa then doused whatever fire was remaining in the coal embers with a second goal in the 82th minute which left the Shabanie bench on cloud nine.
Again the hosts’ rearguard should take the flack for the goal as they were found missing in action when Mhari spilled a scorching shot from Tarisai Rukanda to leave Mazivisa with all the time in the world to coolly slot home the rebound.
Although Hwange tried hard to reduce the deficit in the eight minutes of added time, it was the visitors who had the last laugh as their substitute Caleb Masocha sealed a forgettable afternoon for Tennant Chilumba and company in the 97th minute with a goal which again came after substitute goalkeeper Mvula spilled a grounder from Phillip Sithole.
Chilumba, the Hwange team manager, blamed the catastrophic performance by his lads on injuries.
“It was a bad game for us as we missed seven players through injury but we will however try to work on our mistakes in the next game,” he said.
Shabanie coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere was all smiles but was not impressed with his team’s display.
“We scored goals fine, but I am not happy with the overall performance by the boys and I will make sure we work on improving the performance in our next game against Monomotapa,” said Masomere.
TEAMS
Hwange: P Mhari (T Mvula 86th min), M Mungadze, E Rusike, T Sibelo, G Ndlovu, N Siwela, W Mhango, M Longwe (T Mamina 80th min), M Mpofu, O Lungu (F Vimisai 68th min), F Zekumbawire.
Shabanie: V Twaliki, P Zimunya (C Masocha 86th min), P Sithole, J Chisunga (G Mchiwa 80th min), E Phiri, T Rukanda (F Musalakaza 86th min), R Mware, N Mazivisa, S Muchabaiwa, W Ngonya, T Mombeshora.
Online Reporter