HWANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 0 TSHOLOTSHO . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Tsholotsho boosted their survival chances when they beat a subdued Hwange in a tightly-contested Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.
BY Tinashe Mungazi
A stunning strike from a free-kick by William Stima was enough to earn the relegation-threatened side the much-needed three points to steer clear of the drop zone.
The goal arrived in the 58th, and left Hwange goalminder, Takabva Mawaya, entangled in the nets, as he tried to retrieve the ball.
The first minutes of the game saw Tsholotsho display some good football, as they co-ordinated well-knit passes, but failed to convert them into goals.
Hwange almost broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when a Munyaradzi Mungadze screamer crashed against the bar before bouncing back into Rodwell Chinyengetere’s feet, who unleashed a ferocious shot, which was cleared by the Tsholotsho’s defence.
Tsholotsho raised their game, but after a goal-mouth melee in the 55th minute, Joel Lupahla failed to beat Mawaya in a one-on-one encounter in the box.
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However, a foul committed by Collen Muleya earned Tsholotsho the free-kick, which they made the most from.
Stima sealed the miners’ fate, as he navigated a curved shot right into the corner of the goal.
Chipangano were thrust into delirium, but their joy was short-lived in the 69th minute as a Muleya goal was disallowed for a foul.
In the dying stages, Hwange’s pressed for an equaliser, but their efforts were repelled as Tsholotsho held on.
They did everything, including time wasting, which subsequently earned Kriess Chitiyo a yellow card.
The six minutes injury time failed to help Hwange, as the visitors maintained their posts.
Tsholotsho coach, Lizwe, Sweswe was pleased with the three points.
“We were desperate for the three points and we got them. We came here with a positive mindset, searching for goals and attacking with caution bearing in mind that they had an advantage over us because they were on home ground,” an elated Sweswe said.
Hwange goalkeepers’ coach, Chenjerai Dube, blamed his boys for the near-misses.
“We missed a lot of chances. We could have come out victorious as we failed to convert several opportunities though the match,” he said.
