HWANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . . .0
Hwange put up a spirited performance to put a dent on Ngezi Platinum Stars' title quest following an entertaining Castle Lager Premier League match at the Colliery yesterday.
With the sense of a stalemate seemingly settling in, Pritchard Mpelele struck two minutes before the final whistle to give the coalminers the deserved victory.
That goal eased Hwange's relegation woes while for Ngezi on 57, failed to build a bigger cushion over Dynamos.
A long throw in from hard running midfielder Shepard Gadzikwa found the Ngezi defence having a temporary lapse in concentration to leave Mpelele to pack a shot through the legs of Ngezi goalkeeper Nelson Chadya, who had replaced Chang Mariyoni 17 minutes into the game due to injury.
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The win was a well-deserved one for Hwange as they were better throughout the match especially in the first half when they could have blown Ngezi Platinum away had it not been for the alertness of goalkeeper Mariyoni before his injury.
The visitors were the better side in the last half especially after a triple substitution by coach Takesure Chiragwi in the 67th minute when he brought in Tapiwa Mandinyenya, Nigel Makumbe and Qadar Amini for Malvin Gaki, Bruno Mtigo and Marlvin Kwinjo respectively, but they found the Hwange rearguard, well marshalled by Godwin Goriyati, in no mood for favours.
It seemed there would be no winner between two miners faced with contrasting fortunes on the league table until Mpelele's moment of magic at the death to break Ngezi Platinum Stars hearts.
Hwange goalkeepers’ coach Edmore Sibanda was all praises for the boys after the huge win.
“I am happy that we have a squad that can help us avoid relegation. It's a good day for the community.” he said.
Chiragwi accepted defeat and said it's back to the drawing board.
“It was a good game of football, and we enjoyed the contest but like football there is always a winner and a loser or a draw. We will pick ourselves up for the next midweek game.
“We thought we could come away with a draw, but it was not the case and it's part of football,” Chiragwi said.
Teams
Hwange: N Madeya, J Mumpande, L Sibanda, GGumpo (B Mlotshwa 90') , G Goriyati, S Sithole, M Mlilo, ( J Chivasa 73') S Gadzikwa, C Nkomo (B Ngoma 73') , Tendai Muvhuti (L Mutoma 73') B Makopa ( P Mpelele 57')
Ngezi Platinum: C Mariyoni ( Chadya 17'), K Chigwida, P Moyo, M Gaki (T Mandinyenya 67') , T Benhura, G Madhake, F Madhananga, L Kashitigu, B Mtigo (NMakumbe 67') , M Kwinjo (Q Amini 67') , T Murasiranwa