Super sub saves Monos

SUPER-SUBSTITUTE Mkululi Moyo rose from the bench to lift Monomotapa from the jaws of defeat in this Castle Lager Premiership tie at the Colliery yesterday as Chipangano continued to chase their first win of the season.
The coalminers thought striker Gilbert Zulu had sealed the day for them in in the 76th minute, with a flashing header off a lovely cross from stylish leftback John Kapenya, but the gangly Moyo rose highest to connect a Hillary Mugoniwa cross into the roof of the net to break the hearts of the home fans.
Hwange substitute goalkeeper Petros Mhari, who had come in for the injured Timothy Sibanda in the 61st minute, was at fault as he prematurely left his line when the corner kick was taken.
Before the game, Hwange had drawn with Gunners in the opening game, lost to Masvingo before consecutive drawing against Kiglon and Dynamos.
Yesterday’s game was delayed by 12 minutes after the visitors claimed they had forgotten their players’ licenses in Harare and had to produce scanned copies to the officials before the game.
“We had a breakdown in Harare and had to switch buses just before leaving the capital and unfortunately the licences were in the glove compartment of the first bus.
“We realised that when we were already here and had to ask our colleagues in Harare to send the scanned documents by e-mail.” said Monomotapa team manager Clayton Munemo.
Hwange officials initially vowed they would not fulfill the game but had a change of heart after the team chairman discussed the issue with Premier Soccer League chief executive Kenny Ndebele.
“I spoke to him (Ndebele) and he told me that as Hwange we had no say as the matter was administrative and the match had to go on and gave us the greenlight to write a letter of complaint before the game,” said Joseph Zulu, the Hwange chairman.
The team’s administrator, Khumbulani Mbano, then wrote the letter of protest which was handed over to the match commissioner David Sibanda before the game.
Ndebele confirmed that Monomotapa had contacted him on the issue related to their licences.
“They phoned me on the issue and we decided that the game had to go on but we will sit down during the course of the week to make a decision and it’s definite Monomotapa will be fined,” he said.
Shooting Stars also face the same predicament as they travelled for their game against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo without players’ licences.
The game started at a cracking pace with Hwange launching raids through the overlapping Kapenya and had two early chances that were wasted by Siza Dube and Tongai Magwendere.
Monomotapa raced into the lead in the 30th minute when Makai Kawashu deflected a Tendai Samanja goal-bound effort past Timothy Sibanda.
Chipangano were back on level terms in the 42th minute when captain Gerald Ndhlovu converted a penalty kick after Sizalobuhle Dube was kicked in the face by a Monos defender in the box.
The visitors started the second half strongly with some lovely moves revolving around Osborne Mukuradare, Samanja and Brian Katsaruware but their moves were smothered by Hwange man-of-the-match Aaron Katebe.
Substitute Zulu then grabbed the goal that sent the home fans into a frenzy only for a last minute equaliser by Moyo to deny coach Nation Dube the maximum points.
Dube is standing in for Tennnat Chilumba who is still in his native Zambia for a course.
Hwange took two points, from their two Easter Holiday matches, after a goalless draw against Dynamos at Rufaro on Good Friday.
Teams
Hwange
T Sibanda (P Mhari 61st min),M Chipunza, J Kapenya, A Katebe, G Ndlovu,A Tshuma, O Mpofu(G Zulu50th min), R Chinyengetere, S Dube, W Muhango, T Magwendere(B Sande81stmin)
Monomotapa:
T Mafunga, B Mapfumo, H Mugoniwa , T Samanja, T Ngulube, B Katsaruware, J Mutambiranwa(R Madamombe70th min), K Machona, T Munyanduri, M Kawahu, O Mukuradare (M Moyo).