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Tsholotsho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

TSHOLOTSHO goalkeeper Nickel Marichi scored a sensational second half goal directly from a goal-kick to inspire his side to their first home win of the season in this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at White City yesterday.

The Zhwane Boys had not won at home in 10 league games.

Staring relegation, Tsholotsho knew that only a victory would keep their survival hopes alive, and they responded with a direct approach to yesterday’s game against troubled How Mine.

How Mine had only managed two points in their last six outings and were hard-pressed to win to ease pressure on coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere.

However, the gold miners played into Tsholotsho’s game-plan as they were forced to bypass the midfield, which resulted in them giving away possession easily.

The home side’s game-plan eventually paid off in the 37th minute when veteran Joel Luphahla released Lynoth Chikuhwa, whose shot on the run was blocked back into play by How Mine keeper Munyaradzi Diya. The rebound fell to an alert Kriess Chitiyo, who tapped the ball into an empty net.

With a bit of luck, Tsholotsho could have gone into the break with a comfortable lead, courtesy of two speculative corner kicks from Luphahla which almost caught Diya off guard in the 45th minute.

How Mine tried to push for an early goal after the breather, but they quickly fizzled out. They were almost punished in the 49th minute when their central defenders Tapiwa Kumbuyani and Nelson Tachi were beaten to a loose ball by Nixon Gama who, however, failed to direct his effort on target.

Tsholotsho continued to invite How Mine to come at them hoping to catch them on counter attacks. It was after a failed raid by the gold miners that the home team scored a spectacular goal through their goalkeeper Marichi.

Diya was caught in two minds as the ball came towards him and in the end he did nothing. The keeper could have either parried the ball out for a corner or caught it after it took a bounce, but he simply froze.

How Mine’s consolation goal came in added time through Timothy January, who capitalised on Tsholotsho’s defensive mix-up.

Masomere was angered by his keeper and central defenders for costing them three points.

“We really playing badly and most of the times its central defenders and at times the goalkeeper. It started when we lost 2-0 to Hwange. The central defence failed to deal with the balls; in the Highlanders game, it was the goalkeeper and the central defenders. At ZPC Kariba (1-1) the goalkeeper made a schoolboy blunder and today the goalkeeper concedes from a goal-kick.

“Really, I’m confused whether we will win the next game because I will be using the same players. Now we have to work on their mental aptitude. I’m really disturbed because personally I want to end in a better position, but two points from five games by our standard is very poor,” Masomere said.

How Mine takes on-fire FC Platinum in their next league encounter at Luveve on Wednesday.

Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe was happy with the result, which he said will aid their fight for survival.

“The boys showed great fighting spirit. Morale was down after our defeat by Dongo Sawmill but I’m sure after this game it is possible to survive,” said Sweswe.

Teams

Tsholotsho: Nickel Marichi, MacClive Phiri, Nkosilathi Moyo, Thandolwenkosi Ncube, William Stima, Butholezwe Ncube, Kriess Chitiyo, Ocient Ncube (Siza Khoza, 88th minute), Joel Luphahla (Tafadzwa Jaravani, 76th minute), Nixon Gama (Danisa Phiri, 89th minute), Lynoth Chikuhwa

How Mine: Munyaradzi Diya, Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Moses Gutu, Devon Chafa, Nelson Tachi, Thembani Masuku, Heritein Masuku, Tawanda Muparati (Timothy January, 55th minute), Kuda Musharu, Morris Kadzola, Godfrey Nguwodzawo (Benjamin Marere, 54th minute)