Arenel Movers...................... 0
Hwange.................................0
Relegation-threatened Arenel Movers and Hwange played out a goalless stalemate at Luveve Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Arenel dominated the first half, but failed to breach Hwange's defense due to over-elaboration in the final third.
The draw left Arenel second-from-bottom with 22 points, while Hwange remained third-from-bottom with 27 points.
Both coaches felt the midweek fixtures took a toll on their performance yesterday afternoon, with Arenel Movers coach Philani Ncube bemoaning the absence of Brian Jaravaza.
"I think we really didn't recover, the game against Highlanders taxed us. But well, we had a better second half, we came out fighting. "We didn't play, the way we played against Highlanders.it was haphazard, but if Jaravaza (Brian) is there, he makes us play," said Ncube.
Rodwell Dlakama the Hwange gaffer felt that his boys gave it their all in midweek which led to their struggles against Arenel.
"It was a difficult game for us. I think we did not have a good game compared to the game we played last week against Caps United. I owe that to fatigue because the exertion of the game against Caps United was very high. So the players felt it," said Dlakama.
Hwange created the first scoring opportunity in the 16th minute, with Claivert Tshuma's shot easily collected by Arenel goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya, following a layoff by Dominic Chungwa.
After the break, Arenel created more chances. Grant Chigwenhese blasted his effort wide in the 55th minute, following good work by Lucky Nyathi.
Arenel continued to press, with Nyathi firing a thunderbolt from a quick corner kick, but lacking precision.
Raymond Uchena's dipping effort in the 89th minute forced Ngwenya to tip the ball over the bar as Hwange almost stole victory right at the death.