Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 5 Hardbody . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
TEN-MEN Hwange recorded their first win in three months when they thumped Hardbody at the Colliery Stadium on Wednesday, as they continued their fight against relegation.
REPORT BY LINEKER MAKOWA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
After picking up a point at Buffaloes last week in a 1-1 draw, the coal miners in emphatic fashion, crushed Hardbody to move one place on the log standings into 11th with 30 points.
They displaced Black Mambas who went down 3-0 to Dynamos at Morris Depot on Wednesday. The two teams are now separated by two points going into the last three games of the season.
Hwange had gone for three months without a win; their last win came against Caps United on August 5 in a 3-1 scoreline at the Colliery Stadium.
Goals from veteran striker Gilbert Zulu and Farai Vimisayi in the first half and two penalties from Gerald Ndhlovu and substitute Aaron Katebe, and a goal from Tonisani Sibelo, ensured that Hwange collected their first three points in ten attempts.
Hardbody coach Godfrey Tamirepi was an angry man as he cried foul against the referees.
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“The referees did us down. They were just awarding free-kicks to the home team; 15 free-kicks given was not real! I am very disappointed with the way the officials handled the game. The last goal was the only genuine goal,” said Tamirepi.
Hwange coach Nation Dube will be wishing for the best in the last three matches.
“I am very impressed with the way we played and the three points that we picked, and the point in Mutare. If only we could get more points in the next coming games,” said Dube.
Zulu gave the hosts an early lead in the 20th minute heading home a Tonisani Sibelo free-kick from the right flank.
Tawanda Mareya could have made it two-nil as he received a nice curling cross from Sibelo, but miscued his diving header off target with only goalkeeper Ashley Rayners to beat.
Man-of-the-match Vimisayi danced past two defenders on the right wing and released a bullet that settled in the nest in the 32nd minute.
The visitors almost pulled one back four minutes later, as they got a corner and former Chapungu striker Dumisani Mufudze rose above his defender to head home, only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Evans Rusike.
Minutes later Rusike went from “hero to zero”, as he was given a straight red for a crude tackle on Roy Useni the 44th minute.
“Watosvorwa” pulled one back in the 47th minute with a quick and well taken free-kick at the edge of the box as Brian Juru crossed the ball to Callisto Maheya, who headed home unmarked.
Stephen Alimenda was adjudged to have fouled Oscar Lunga in the box and referee Hardly Ndazi pointed to the spot. Ndlovu converted in the 54th minute.
The visitors continued to control the ball and mount pressure on the coal miners, but failed to take advantage and Hwange were now relaying on counter attacks.
Hwange earned a corner in the 72nd which Useni handled in the box and substitute Aaron Katebe converted from the spot, to make it four for Hwange, before Sibelo completed the rout at the death.
