HWANGE WON’T GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT

Tobias Mandoreba-Hwange Correspondent

Hwange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2

Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (0) 1

A FIRED-UP Hwange showed they will fight to the last drop of their blood in their quest to survive the dreaded chop come the end of season.

They ended Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer league match at the Colliery yesterday.

The game was a must-win for the coalminers, and as expected, they went off the blocks from the first whistle in search of the crucial points.

At the end, the Chipangano faithful muttered silent prayers to their football gods after goals by Marcelline Mlilo and defender Raymond Uchena left them on cloud nine.

Attacking midfielder Marceline Mlilo, now renowned for being a dead ball specialist, thrust the coalminers into the lead after 20 minutes, with a spectacular free-kick from the edge of the box that left Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba rooted on the same spot as the effort hit the roof of the nets.

The hosts were smelling blood and they could have doubled their advantage five minutes later after another freekick from Claivert Tshuma deceived the visitors’ defence to leave veteran midfielder Shepherd Gadzikwa with acres of space to head the ball only for his effort to graze some paint off the cross bar with Chitsumba again a mere spectator.

Manica Diamonds’ changes at the break, introducing Tawanda Macheke and Kudzanayi Dhemera for Brett Amidu and Gerald Bero, tilted the scales in their favour as they camped in the Hwange half in search of an equaliser.

It was not a surprise as they were duly rewarded for their sweat on the hour mark through Jeffrey Takunda who nabbed from close range after a goalmouth melee.

The temporary setback didn’t dampen Chipangano’s spirits as they restored their lead eight minutes later through defender Uchena, who rose high to connect a curling Ralyton Maphosa free-kick into the nets to seal Manica Diamonds’ fate.

It was then a nervy end for the home fans in the last quarter when coach Jairos Tapera threw in speedy strikers Fortune Binzi and Michael Tapera for Charles Teguru and Evans Katema respectively but the coalminers defended for dear life to the end.

Hwange coach Rodwell Dhlakama was a relieved man.

“I am very happy with the result and especially the fight which the boys exhibited throughout the contest against tricky opponents.

‘Yes, we are celebrating the win but we should not lose focus of the battles ahead as we continue fighting to stay afloat.

“With such a mentality like what we witnessed today we can bring smiles to the entire Hwange family at the end of the season,” said Dhlakama.

Tapera bemoaned the way his charges defended set pieces that resulted in the loss.

“It was not a good day in office for us as we were made to pay dearly for failing to deal with set pieces but such is football, we have to regroup and work on our mistakes,” said Tapera.

HWANGE: Takabva Mawaya; Jofias Mumpande; Kelly Shiyandindi; Raymond Uchena; Marcelline Mlilo ( Prosper Mathe 60th min); Winston Mhango; Shepard Gadzikwa; Claivert Tshuma; Pritchard Mpelele ( Remmington Masuku 75th min); Ralyton Maphosa; Dominic Chungwa

MANICA DIAMONDS: Geoffrey Chitsumba;( Tedious Baye 75th min) Lawrence Masibera; Farai Banda; Tawanda Chisi; Kelvin Gwao; Jeffrey Takunda; Nigel Mupinduki; Brett Amidu (Tawanda Macheke 46th min); Charlies Teguru (Michael Tapera 75th min); Gerald Bero (Kudzanayi Dhemere 46th min); Evans Katema (Fortune Binzi 75th min)

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