CHAPUNGU . . . . . (1) 1 HWANGE . . . . . . . (0) 1
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
HWANGE lost pole position in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings after a 1-1 draw against Chapungu at Ascot Stadium yesterday. Evans Rusike cancelled Kalisto Maheya’s first half goal to rescue a point for the coal miners.
Hwange came to Gweru on top of the log with fourteen points from seven games but yesterday’s result means they have lost top spot to How Mine who now have sixteen points one ahead of them.
While their opponents Chapungu were unbeaten at home coming into the match, but they were also missing one of their best performers this season Farai Manase who is writing his exams at the Midlands State University.
Chipangano came into the match without some of their star players like Warriors defender Eric Chipeta, striker Aleck Marime and David Boriwondo a scenario which coach Nation Dube believes handicapped them.
“We missed some of our experienced players and I think if they were here we could have avoided that goal they scored. But I am happy that the boys showed character managing to come from behind and get a goal especially playing away from home,” Dube said.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino felt that they could have won the match had it not been for lapse in concentration from his charges.
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“We should have won, in football it’s not over until it’s over the guys were complacent towards the end. But a draw is not a bad result,” Nyikadzino said.
The home team dominated the exchanges from the onset and as early as the ninth minute they were rewarded with a goal when Maheya headed Maxwell Mavhuto’s cross to beat an exposed Takabva Mawaya in goal for Hwange.
Eleven minutes later Rodwell Chinyengetere could have equalised for the visitors but Alexander Useni in goal for the army side was equal to the task and pushed his effort out for a corner.
Rusike was denied the equaliser with seven minutes left on the clock when his effort crashed against the woodwork.
But Newman Siyanchali won the ball in midfield on the stroke of full time and fed Rusike with an inch perfect pass, who responded with a powerful curling shot that beat the badly positioned Useni for the visitors’ goal.
In another match played at Rimuka Stadium, ZPC Kariba, unbeaten in eight starts, picked up a point in a 0-0 draw against Black Rhinos.
