BLACK Mambas proved non-venomous when they lost 1-3 to Chipangano in a gruelling Castle Lager Premiership match at the Colliery stadium yesterday.
Report by Lindani Dube
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . (1) 3 Black Mambas . . . . . . . .(1) 1
The visitors drew first blood as early at the 11th minute through a penalty kick which came after Tsepo Ranthokoane was fouled in the box by Hwange defender Eric Chipeta.
Warumwa Warumwa’s Last Chibwiro easily converted from the spot.
The coalminers failed to make good use of the chances they created and could have scored three minutes after Black Mambas had taken the lead, but they could not take advantage from a corner kick.
In the 20th minute Kasimero Chimbadzwa minute unleashed a powper-packed shot from close range but it was deflected to safety.
In the 22nd minute Hwange found the equaliser when Gilbert Zulu dribbled into the box and his shot was blocked, but fell into the path of striker Isaac Masame ghosting from the right side to drive home.
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Masame was awarded a yellow in the 39th minute for a physical brush with the Mambas goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.
The second half of the match saw the introduction of Farai Vimisai for the coalminers, who tilted the scale for the Hwange fans in the 65th minute by powering a short range effort after feeding off Masame.
Chipangano’s Tafara Chese rose from the bench to put insurance to the three points when he hit the back of the net at the end of a Chipeta corner with just five minutes left on the clock.
All hope was not lost in the encounter for the police side who kept pushing forward with Godknows Mangani who came in for Honey Chimutimuzveve proving a handful. The game saw a red card awarded to Mambas’ Patrick Muswere and a yellow to Innocent Nyoni for a scuffle with Masame.
Hwange goalkeeper’s coach Chenjerai Dube said that he was pleased with both the performance and the result.
“We are now in the driving gear and can breathe a little as we climb up the log”, said Dube. “The boys did well, pushing forward as a collective force. We look forward to the same spirit of oneness as we complete the season,” he added.
Mambas coach, John Ncube was understandably a disappointed man after the defeat from the coalminers and attributed the loss to poor officiating.
“We lost rhythm after the red card, our game plan went into disarray and he could not play as per plan.”
