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Artwell Mukandi

Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
SOUTH Africa-bound Zimbabwe international defender Eric Chipeta may have scored his last goal for Hwange as his first half penalty was enough to check Dynamos’ Caste Lager Premiership revival at the Colliery yesterday.

Chipeta who has been signed by newly-promoted South African Premiership side Chippa United found the target from the penalty spot in the 31st minute that ensured it was the home fans in the packed stadium who were left singing and dancing.

Dynamos defender Ocean Mushure’s attempt to clear a stinging Farai Vimisai shot on the goal line resulted in first assistant referee Tione Kacheche signalling to the referee Mandlenkosi Sibanda that the left back had used his hands to block the  effort from crossing the line.

There was a brief stoppage as Dynamos players protested the decision but when calm was restored up stepped Chipeta to send goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi the wrong way.

Mukandi has now taken over as DeMbare first choice following the imminent departure of George Chigova and a defeat is not the result the former Monomotapa goalkeeper would have wished for.

Hwange’s overall performance yesterday, which took them back to the apex of the log, was a bold statement that they are prepared to move mountains in their quest to land a first ever league title at the end of this season.

The coalminers simply reserved all their energy and determination for the big stage, against a big side and in front of a big crowd to leave the vocal blue and white masses with their tails in between their legs after the final whistle.

The DeMbare family must have left Hwange wondering what kind of tonic they require to douse the blazing coal embers after they were embarrassed by the same team last year in a 4-2 battering.

Hwange were quick to get off the blocks as they nearly scored in the opening minute had it not been for Evans Rusike’s lack of precision from a good position.
The Glamour Boys continued to miss in action in the opening stages as they were again threatened in the eight minute when Hwange won a free kick after Rusike was fouled on the edge of the box by Stephen Alimenda.

The hosts’ free-kick specialist Chipeta however disappointed with a tame effort which never bothered Mukandi.
Dynamos’  first sight at goal came two minutes later when Mushure’s curling free kick found goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya alert on duty.

From there Hwange set the stadium alight with some delightful football characterised by some fine passing to overwork the DeMbare rearguard which included Themba Ndlovu and Partson Jaure.

Then from nowhere, the Harare giants almost grabbed the opener in the 21st minute when some quick exchange of passes between Tichaona Mabvura and Alimenda resulted in the latter unleashing a dipping shot which required Mawaya’s reflexes to push the ball out for a corner.

Hwange kept pushing for the breakthrough which eventually came via the spot kick.
Alec Marime and Rusike were to miss two close chances just before the break as the hosts continued to enjoy the better of the proceedings in the opening stanza.

Dynamos came back from the breather charging like a wounded buffalo as they started pinning Hwange in their own half with Mabvura leading the onslaught.
In the 55th minute the roaring Dynamos faithful shook their heads in disbelief after Vimisai cleared Mabvura’s goal-bound effort from the line as the champions started to turn the screws on Hwange.

That was Mabvura’s last input in the game as he was surprisingly pulled out for Tafadzwa Rusike six minutes later
In the 65th minute Nation Dube was forced to make an injury — inspired substitution after his goalkeeper Mawaya was stretchered off to hospital and had to be replaced by veteran goal minder Timothy Sibanda who proved he was not rusty with some crucial saves.

Fifteen minutes from time, Hwange substitute Tafara Chese could have put the match to bed when he latched on a sitter by Rusike only to direct his effort to the skies.
Dynamos then virtually camped in Hwange half with some purposeful attacking play but found the Hwange defence in no mood for favours.

Even seven minutes of injury time signalled by fourth official proved insufficient for Glamour Boys to pull the game out of the fire.
Dynamos fans, who invaded the town from the early hours of yesterday to set up an electrifying atmosphere of blaring car horns, waving of flags, sale of regalia and chanting of songs, wore gloomy faces at the end of the afternoon as the home fans danced and celebrated wildly.

Hwange goalkeeper’s coach Chenjerai Dube was all smiles after grinding out a morale boosting win over their highly fancied adversaries.
“It was a tough game as Dynamos came here to play football. We worked hard and fully utilised our home advantage to bag the maximum points and we thank God for that,” he said.

Dynamos gaffer Callisto Pasuwa  reckoned that it was game of chances.
“It was game of chances as we did not utilise the chances we got. The turning point was the penalty which was signalled by the assistant referee which I feel was not warranted but such is the game of soccer, we need to go back and do our homework and focus on the next game.” Pasuwa said.

TEAMS:
Hwange :
T Mawaya (T Sibanda 65th min); P Dube; M Mungadze; G Ndlovu; E Chipeta; A Tshuma; F Vimisai (T Chese 65th min); R Chinyengetere; A Marime (G Zulu 65th min); I Masame; E Rusike
Dynamos:
A Mukandi; B Moyo; O Mushure; P Jaure; T Ndlovu; S Alimenda; T Magorimbo (P Khumbula 80th min); R Chitiyo; T Mabvura (T Rusike 61st min); S Sithole (A Gondo 52nd min); W Pakamisa.