Blue Rangers . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Shabanie Mine . . . . . . .(0) 1
Report by Ranganai Dzotizei
BLUE RANGERS failed to hold on to a goal advantage against Shabanie Mine to share the points in a lukewarm Castle Lager Premiership match at Gwanzura yesterday.
An own-goal by Shabanie defender Boniface Dimanji in the 76th minute seemed to have given Rangers a lifeline, but Nelson Mazivisa’s 84th minute header spoiled the party for Rangers, who insisted they were still in with a fight, with two matches to play.
The opening period saw the “Chinda Boys” bombarding the Rangers penalty box and Caleb Masocha thought he had thrust Shabanie ahead on 13 minutes, but his effort was ruled offside.
It was going to be a tale of offside decisions against the visitors in the ensuing minutes as they sought to put Rangers to the sword.
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Tarisai Rukanda could not believe it on the stroke of half-time as he failed to connect Pevington Zimunya’s cross. The teams went to the break even. With the game seemingly heading towards a dull goalless situation, Rangers benefited from a kiss of fortune — thanks to Dimanji. Substitute Macdonald Motsi found space on the left flank and flighted a wicked cross which Dimanji failed to clear properly and instead, it trickled into the nets off his boot to give Rangers an undeserved lead.
Zimunya then sent in a beautiful corner and with Rangers in sixes and sevens, Mazivisa pounced with a thumping header for his 18th goal of the season.
Luke Masomere was unhappy with his team’s performance. “This was the worst football from two sides. We could have won, but we were wasteful,” he said. His opposite number Gari Mukangaire, who stood in for the absent Patson Ndabambi, was defiant after the draw.