The Sunday News
Acting Sports Editor
How Mine …………………………………………………… (2) 2
Hwange …………………………………………………………… 0
HOW Mine gave Hwange their first defeat of the season when the goldminers conquered the previously unbeaten coalminers in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Luveve Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
Two first half goals from Kudakwashe Musharu, his fourth goal of the season and Wonder Sithole ensured Philani Ncube’s side, who started the season with two consecutive defeats to Dynamos and Bantu Rovers stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with three wins and a draw. For the Nation Dube-coached Hwange, it was the first time they tasted defeat this season after starting the season with three wins and two draws.
It was Hwange who had the first opportunity to score in the first minute when Evans Rusike was sent through on the left only to guide his goal attempt wide.
How Mine opened the scoring with six minutes played when Musharu, in a crowded Hwange box managed to lob the ball over Hwange goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya.
The home side continued with their fine show and with 18 minutes into the match Sithole did some brilliant work on the left then came face to face with Mawaya who produced a brilliant save. On the other end of the pitch, Hwange came close to equalising, Aleck Marime’s powerful shot outside the box was pushed out for a corner kick by How Mine goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura.
Chikurupati could have gone two up had defender Brighton Dube not headed wide unchallenged in the box from a corner kick. They, however, did not wait longer for their second goal which came in the 23rd minute, Sithole beating Mawaya with a powerful shot on the left side.
The home team continued attacking and could have had their third goal 31 minutes into the match, Edmore Muzanhenhamo with a good run, set up Timothy January but Mawaya was the first to the ball to avert danger.
With five minutes to go, Muzanhenhamo saw his shot from a free kick outside the box parried away for a corner by Mawaya.
In the second half, Mawaya was shown a yellow card by referee Philani Ncube for handling the ball outside the box. From the resultant indirect freekick taken by Muzanhenhamo, Sithole set up Xolisani Moyo who headed into the back of the nets only for the goal to be disallowed as assistant referee Oscar Bumhe had his flag up for offside.
January in the 58th minute had his shot on the run going over the bar. Four minutes later, January’s perfect cross into the box found no takers from his team.
Hwange coach Dube made three changes in the second half, bringing in Gilbert Zulu, Newman Sianchali, Tafara Chese for Rusike, Farai Vimisayi and Marime but those substitutions failed to inspire a comeback for his side.
Dube said they will head home to see where they got it wrong as they prepare for their next assignment.
Ncube was a delighted man after the win over Hwange which he attributed to thorough preparations for the match which involved identifying the Hwange weaknesses. He believes Warriors defender Eric Chipeta is too slow and that is why they were able to utilise his flank.
