ERIC Chipeta is a man of his word. Yesterday, he rattled Dynamos’ Castle Lager Premier Soccer League ambitions with a winning penalty at the Colliery Stadium to bid farewell to Hwange in winning fashion.
LAWSON MADZIVANYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Hwange . . . (1) 1 Dynamos . . . . 0
Chipeta is headed for Chippa United in the Absa Premier Soccer League in South Africa and had stated before the match that he would like to sign off with a goal.
He did that, converting from the penalty spot in the 37th minute as Hwange reclaimed top spot with 22 points – one ahead of second-placed Highlanders who dropped two points against Triangle yesterday in a 1-1 draw and third-placed How Mine.
“It is a good thing that I am leaving after we play Dynamos. It’s probably one of my last games and what I want to do on Sunday is to score and make sure Hwange collect three points as a big thank you to the fans, my teammates and everybody else who was around me all the time I have been here,” Chipeta had said to Southern Eye on Friday.
Dynamos benched SuperSport United-bound goalkeeper George Chigova in favour of Artwell Mukandi as they prepare for life without their regular number one.
Dynamos coach Kalisto Pasuwa complained about the penalty.
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“It was a game of chance and we failed to utilise the chances we got. The referee was closer to the ball when it hit Mushure’s face and I think it was not a penalty,” he said.
Hwange goalkeepers’ coach Chenjerai Dube was elated with his team’s performance. “It was a tough game and we utilised our home advantage. The most important thing is we got the three points,” he said.
Hwange, who are unbeaten at home this season, dominated the first half with lovely combinations between Farai Vimisayi and Alec Marime stretching the Dynamos defence, but still could not find the opener.
But after 35 minutes of play, the pressure bore some results as Ocean Mushure was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and referee Mandlenkosi Sibanda pointed to the spot. Chipeta coolly sent Mukandi the wrong way from the spot.
The second half saw Pasuwa introduce Anesu Gondo for the inept Simba Sithole in the 50th minute to try and pressurise Hwange. And they were almost rewarded two minutes later when a well taken free-kick by Mushure forced Takabva Mawaya to make a brilliant save.
Dynamos kept on pilling pressure, but the Hwange defence was resolute and managed to contain all the attacks.
Hwange coach Nation Dube made a triple substitution in the 65th minute. Veteran goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda was introduced for Mawaya who was stretchered off the field due to an injury. The pacy Tafara Chese replaced Vimisayi and veteran strike Gilbert Zulu came in for Alick Marime.
Pasuwa also introduced Tafadzwa Rusike for Tichaona Mabvura and Patrick Khumbula for Thomas Magorimbo in an effort to stage anticipated revenge on Hwange who thrashed them by 2-4 last season, but the leveller would not just come.
Hwange resorted to time wasting tactics forcing a number of stoppages during the match. Referee Sibanda added seven minutes of optional time, but still the visitors could not score.
Teams Hwange: T Mawaya (T Sibanda 65th min), P Dube, M Mungadze, G Ndlovu, E Chipeta, A Chuma, F Vimisai (T Chese 65th minute), R Chinyengetere, A Marime (G Zulu 65th min), E Rusike, I Masame
Dynamos: A Mukandi, B Moyo, O Mushure, P Jaure, T Ndhlovu, S Alimenda, T Magorimbo (P Khumbula 78th min), R Chitiyo, T Mabvura, S Sithole (A Gondo 50th min), W Pakamisa
