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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter—
Tsholotsho FC 2-1 How Mine
TSHOLOTSHO FC goalkeeper Nickel Marichi scored a sensational second half goal directly from a goal-kick to inspire his side to their first home win of the season against How Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at White City Stadium yesterday. The Zhwane Boys had not won at home in 10 league games. Staring at relegation, Tsholotsho knew that only a win would keep their survival hopes alive, and they responded with a direct approach to yesterday’s game against troubled How Mine.
How Mine had only managed two points in their last six outings and were hard-pressed to win to ease pressure on coach Luke Masomere. However, the gold miners played into Tsholotsho’s game plan as they were forced to bypass the midfield, which resulted in them giving away possession easily.
The home side’s plan eventually paid off in the 37th minute when veteran Joel Luphahla released Lynoth Chikuhwa, whose shot on the run was blocked back into play by How Mine keeper Munyaradzi Diya. The rebound fell to an alert Kriess Chitiyo, who tapped the ball into an empty net.
With a bit of luck, Tsholotsho could have gone into the break with a comfortable lead courtesy of two speculative corner kicks from Luphahla which almost caught Diya off guard in the 45th minute.
How Mine tried to push for an early goal after the breather, but quickly fizzled out. They were almost punished in the 49th minute when their central defenders Tapiwa Kumbuyani and Nelson Tachi were beaten to a loose ball by Nixon Gama, who, however, failed to direct his effort on target.
Tsholotsho continued to invite How Mine to come at them hoping to catch them on counter attacks. It was after a failed raid by the gold miners that the home team scored a spectacular goal through their goalkeeper Marichi.
Diya was caught in two minds as the ball came towards him and in the end he did nothing. The keeper could have either parried the ball out for a corner or caught it after it took a bounce, but he simply froze.
How Mine’s consolation goal came in added time through Timothy January who capitalised on Tsholotsho’s defensive mix-up. Masomere was angered by his keeper and central defenders for costing them three points.
“We’re really playing badly and most of the times its central defenders and at times the goalkeeper. It started when we lost 2-0 to Hwange. The central defence failed to deal with balls. In the Highlanders game, it was the goalkeeper and the central defenders. At ZPC Kariba (1-1) the goalkeeper made a schoolboy blunder and today the goalkeeper concedes from a goal kick,” said Masomere.
“Really, I’m confused whether we’ll win the next game because I’ll be using the same players. Now we’ve to work on a positive mental attitude. I’m really disturbed because personally I want to end in a better position, but two points from five games by our standard is very poor.”
How Mine take on on-fire FC Platinum in their next league encounter at Luveve Stadium on Wednesday. Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe was happy with the result, which he said would aid their fight for survival. “The boys showed great fighting spirit. Morale was down after our Dongo Sawmill defeat but I’m sure after this game it’s possible to survive,” said Sweswe.
Teams
Tsholotsho FC: Nickel Marichi, MacClive Phiri, Nkosilathi Moyo, Thandolwenkosi Ncube, William Stima, Butholezwe Ncube, Kriess Chitiyo, Ocient Ncube (Siza Khoza, 88th minute), Joel Luphahla (Tafadzwa Jaravani, 76th minute), Nixon Gama (Danisa Phiri, 89th minute), Lynoth Chikuhwa
How Mine: Munyaradzi Diya, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Moses Gutu, Devon Chafa, Nelson Tachi, Thembani Masuku, Heritein Masuku, Tawanda Muparati (Timothy January, 55th minute), Kuda Musharu, Morris Kadzola, Godfrey Nguwodzawo (Benjamin Marere, 54th minute)
Results
Saturday: Harare City 1-0 Highlanders, Chicken Inn 2-1 ZPC Kariba, FC Platinum 3-1 Dynamos, Flame Lily 2-2 Hwange
Yesterday: Whawha 0-0 Triangle United, Dongo Sawmill 0-0 Chapungu, Caps United 0-0 Buffaloes, Tsholotsho FC 2-1 How Mine
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