Wasteful Hwange settle for point

Tobias Mandoreba in HWANGE

HWANGE wasted a glut of chances and ended up sharing the spoils with visiting Simba Bhora in a goalless draw in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the Colliery yesterday.

The coalminers played like a team that is feeling the heat of being close to the drop zone in the league race with some sublime football only to be let down by their lack of precision in front of goal.

The tale of blown opportunities for Chipangano started in the 18th minute when youthful Marcelline Mlilo’s scorching drive from the edge of the box proved too hot to handle for Simba Bhora goalkeeper Simba Chinani who parried the effort to safety.

Four minutes later it was the turn of Sherpard Gadzikwa to take aim at goal but again the goalminder was alert to the danger.

Chipangano continued to turn on the screws and, at the half hour mark, young midfielder Blessing Ngoma, who had an impressive outing, held his head in disbelief as his rasping volley missed the crossbar by a few inches.

Hwange continued to harass the visitors in the last half, especially after the introduction of Brendon Rendo, who came in for Pritchard Mpelele four minutes after the breather.

Even the introduction of veteran Ronald Chitiyo, 30 minutes from the end for Simbarashe Maramwidze, could not tilt the game in favour of the visitors as they continued to play second fiddle to the coalminers.

They ended up resorting to time wasting to safeguard the precious point.

Nation Dube’s mood was down after the game as he reckoned they didn’t take their chances but is hopeful that the coalminers will continue to fight.

Simba coach Tonderayi Ndiraya was happy with the point away from home.