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Tobias Madoremba in HWANGE
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 4
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A FIRED-UP Hwange produced a blistering display to shoot down Chapungu in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier League match at the Colliery yesterday.
The visitors had missed an early chance in the match after Gift Phiri’s free-kick grazed some paint off the crossbar.

Isaac Masame and Farai Vimisai then exchanged some lovely passes in the Chapungu half and the former’s scorching free-kick was bravely parried back into play by goalkeeper Alexander Useni in the fifth minute.

The airmen were not intimidated as Victor Bangira also threatened in the 10th minute after he robbed Hwange captain Gerald Ndlovu of the ball at the edge of the box only to produce a weak effort at goal.

The miners then took the initiative and surged ahead in the 20th minute through double scorer Evans Rusike who was returning from a long lay-off due to injury.
Hwange’s enterprising left winger Pritchard Mpelele roasted defender Collen Kwaramba before laying a sitter for Rusike who responded by unleashing a thunderous volley which beat Useni.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino dragged out the ineffective Maxwell Mavuto for Hillary Mugoniwa three minutes after Hwange’s opener.
Mugoniwa’s first touch, a glancing header off a delicate corner kick by Bangira, could have drawn Chapungu level but his effort missed the target by a few inches.

The airmen then pinned the coalminers in their own half with some incessant pressure which led to their equaliser in the 38th minute when Phillip Marufu who flicked home a curling corner kick by Phiri.

Hwange regained their lead in the 54th minute after lanky defender David Boriwondo rose high to power home a flashing header home.
Chapungu defender Liberty Khimu desperately tried to prevent the ball from crossing the line only for the first assistant Brighton Nyika to signal to the match referee Mandlenkosi Sibanda that the ball had gone in.

The airmen were not given any room to recover as in the 66th minute Rusike grabbed his second goal with a cheeky back heel which deceived Useni.
Substitute Alec Marime then put the icing on the cake for the coalminers six minutes from time when he ghosted in from nowhere to head in a long free-kick from defender Tonisani Sibelo.

Hwange assistant coach Chenjerayi Dube praised his boys for the demolition job. “I am more than happy after getting the maximum points. With more precision in front of goal especially in the first half, we could have embarrassed Chapungu with a rugby scoreline,” said Dube.

Nyikadzino paid tribute to Hwange for the stunning display.