Black Mambas . . . (0)2 Hardbody . . . . . . . (0)1
HARDBODY’s romance with the Premiership came to a sad ending as they lost to battling Black Mambas in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Morris Depot yesterday. REPORT BY RANGA DZINOTIZEI SPORTS REPORTER
Nicholas Alifandika and Last Chibwiro’s second-half strikes put Mambas in cruise control before Malvern Nyakabangwe’s late facesaver could not save the visitors from waving goodbye to the league.
The first period was all Mambas, as they sought to put Hardbody on the backpedal with Alifandika and Chibwiro guilty of missing on point blank chances.
The game came alive after the breather — four minutes after restart — Alifandika opened the scoring when he latched on Innocent Nyoni’s long ball and chipped it over Ashley Rayners in goal.
Mambas kept probing for the killer punch and were duly rewarded on 64 minutes after Kasimero Chimbadzwa set up Chibwiro in the box and the striker blasted the effort past a helpless Rayners to send the cheering Mambas fans wild.
Hardbody responded when substitute Nhlanhla Ncube raced on the left flank and sent an inviting cross for Nyakabangwe, who summoned his experience to place a precise finish past Tonderai Mateyaunga.
Correspondent Mamery Ngwenya reports that Hwange eased their relegation worries thrashing 10-man Blue Rangers 7-1 and in the process condemning the Harare side into relegation.
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“Chipangano” captain Aaron Katebe, veteran striker Gilbert Zulu and Tawanda Mareya scored braces. Nkosana Siwela weighed in with another goal as the hosts routed the visitors.
Hwange’s assistant coach Brian Njovu was happy with his team’s performance.
“It was a good win. We really needed the win. The boys exceeded our expectations,” said Njovu.
