Whawha hold Harare City

Munyaradzi Musiiwa in Gweru
Whawha………………………..(0) 1
Harare City…………………….(1) 1

PREMIERSHIP debutants Whawha might still be chasing their first win in the top-flight but they seem to have some fighting spirit, which enabled them to battle from behind and grind a point against Harare City yesterday.

The Prisons outfit, playing only their third game in the Premiership, fought back in the second half of a scrappy affair at Ascot to ensure a share of the spoils.

A speculative effort from 30 yards out by James Jam had put the visitors ahead in the first half before ageless striker Malvin Nyakabangwe, a half time substitute, levelled the terms three minutes after coming on.

It was a tale of two halves as the Sunshine Boys dominated the entire first half, creating several chances one of which was converted before tables were turned by the prisons and correctional services team in the second half, when they introduced the pair of Nyakabangwe and Kenneth Bhuka, who gave problems to the Harare City defence.

The visitors made their presence felt in the 22nd minute when former CAPS United defender Arnold Chivheya flighted a cross into the box which found an unmarked Martin Vengesayi whose header went over the bar.

Four minutes latter the Sunshine Boys found their mark when Jam fired home from 30 yards to give the visitors an early lead. A seemingly frustrated Lloyd Mutasa, who has not registered a win in since his side was promoted into the top flight made a double change at the beginning of the second half, introducing former Masvingo United and Lancashire Steel striker, Nyakabangwe and Bhuka.

Nyakabangwe gave Mutasa a sigh of relief after he restored parity just three minutes after his introduction when he tapped in a Tafadzwa Dube spill off a Nyasha Dube long range shot.

Harare City gaffer, Taurai Mangwiro blamed his charges for some sloppy defending which allowed Whawha to grab a point.

“There was sloppy defending in the second half allowing them (Whawha) to snatch an equaliser,” he said.

His counterpart, Lloyd Mutasa was impressed that his side did not concede another home defeat after losing to CAPS United on their Premiership debut.

“Obviously as a coach you would want to win but such is football so a draw is better than nothing.

“However, going forward we should take advantage of playing at home to pick maximum points and today with luck on our side we should have won this match,” Mutasa said.