Hwange keeps lead

Mosi Rovers (0) 0

Hwange (0) 1

VICTORIA FALLS-HWANGE Football club maintained their lead atop  the Southern Region Division One league when they edged battling Mosi Rovers at Chinotimba Stadium yesterday.

The visitors were lethargic in the early stages of the game as they allowed the host to terrorize them at will especially in midfield. Mosi Rovers captain Rapelang Ncube controlled the middle of the park with great confidence but was let down by his strikers who did very little to worry the Chipangano defence that was well marshalled by the age-defying Felix Chidungwe.

In the 43rd minute, man of the match Cannan Nkomo received a perfect pass from  Enerst Gwitima, left a defender in a heap before unleashing a screamer which was smothered by  impressive Mosi goalkeeper, Reggies. Mosi Rovers nearly scored in the 47th minute but Brian Dlamini’s  curling shot nestled on the top roof of the nests with Hwange’s tall, gangly goalkeeper at the striker’s mercy.

Mosi piled pressure and dominated  proceedings in the last minutes of the first half. Bekithemba Nyoni won possession on the edge of the box and packed a shot which hit the crossbar with Hwange keeper Mandeya a beaten man.

In the second half, Hwange summoned all their experience and played a more purposeful game. The menacing Gadzikwa had the ball in the nets but dubious referee Donacious Munenge, adjudged Gadzikwa offside from a seemingly legal position.

Gadzikwa was vindicated In the 88th minute, when he scored with a powerful header off a beautiful cross from the outstanding Nkomo. 

Hwange nearly increased their tally in the 89th minute when Thabani Goredema’s screamer scraped some paint off the upright.

Hwange coach Edmore Sibanda said his charges did not play their usual game because of the nature of the field of play. ” We have won and this is good. We needed goals to win. Yes, we played below par because the ground is too small and bumpy. At least we have collected maximum points as my boys controlled Mosi Rovers,” said Sibanda adding that their next game is at home and his team will try harder to collect maximum points.

With town rivals, ZPC Hwange breathing down their necks, the coal miners who are 6 points clear,  know pretty well that they cannot afford to drop points.