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Midlands Correspondent
Whawha 0-0 How Mine
WHAWHA’s relegation woes deepened when they failed to take advantage of an out of sorts How Mine in a dull Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday. The home side created good scoring chances but lacked precision in front of goal. It was however, How Mine who started the brighter of the two sides in search of their first win in nine games and almost opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but Gilbert Banda’s header was cleared off the line by Pardon Maburutse.
Timothy January was denied by Stanley Chakwana in goals for Whawha after right-back Tapiwa Khumbuyani had whipped in a good cross. Whawha were on the back foot for the better part of the first half, but had a lucky break in the 32nd minute when Roy Useni gained possession on the edge of the opposition box and cut inside before unleashing a screamer that was blocked by Khumbuyani, who handled in the process. Referee Ruzive Ruzive ignored the hosts’ penalty appeals.
The second half again started with How Mine threatening and Devon Chafa almost gave them the lead in the 48th minute, only for his effort to go agonisingly wide after being set up by Godfrey Nyamadzawo.
The hosts immediately responded with Fleance Mwerenga sending in a cross that was met by an unmarked Kenneth Bhuka, whose header from inside the box unfortunately went straight to Donovan Bernard in goals for the visitors.
Whawha could have snatched a win in added time when Albert Matewu, who came on for Roy Useni, shrugged off the challenge of his marker and charged towards goal, and sent in a hard and low cross that eluded keeper Bernard, but was too strong for Ali Njolomi to tap in.
Whawha technical adviser Lloyd Mutasa said he was disappointed by the result. “One would want three points in a game like this and the youngsters tried their best, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the three points,” he said. How Mine interim head coach Jeremiah Makota was satisfied with the result.
“I think it was a good result for us considering we had lost the last seven games. We need to pick ourselves up and at least try to win against Chicken Inn,” said Makota.
Teams
Whawha: S Chakwana, M Machazane, P Maburutse, B Chikwekwete, J Kanono (T Muponda), F Mwerenga, R Horonga, K Bhuka, R Useni (A Matewu 53 min), N Mazivisa, A Njolomi
How Mine: D Bernard, T Khumbuyani, M Kadzola, G Banda, N Tachi, D Chafa, W Sithole, V Kamhuka, G Nguwodzawo (T Masuku 80 min), B Marere, T January (K Musharu 36 min)
derick.khumalo