Sports / Local
How Mine beat Nigeria's Bayelsa United
23 Mar 2014 at 07:24hrs | Views
How Mine (Zimbabwe) 2 - 1 Bayesla United (Nigeria)
ZIMBABWE'S representatives in the Orange Confederation of African Football Confederations Cup, How Mine, did themselves a disservice when they toiled to victory over Nigerian side Bayelsa United in a second round, first leg match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
How Mine wasted plenty of goal scoring opportunities but eventually triumphed through second half goals from Morris Kadzola and a penalty converted by veteran Menard Mupera. This was after the visitors had taken the lead through Bernard Okorowanta early into the second half.
The Nigerians should be the most content of the two teams going into the second leg at the weekend in Nigeria as the away goal puts them at an advantage.
It was Bayelsa who showed attacking intent soon after kickoff and the home side's captain, Gilbert Banda did well to block on the line a goal bound effort from Okorowanta while at the other end, Mupera blazed over the bar with a first time powerful shot three minutes into the match. Okorowanta saw his curling effort go over the bar with six minutes gone.
Then How Mine striker Kudakwashe Musharu wasted a chance to score after a fine cross from Mupera while a wasteful James Chitereki missed a fine opportunity to put How Mine ahead when he failed to get to the end of a perfect delivery into the box from Kadzola.
Mupera was slow to react to a Chitereki pass with Bayelsa goalkeeper Gideon Gambo coming out to avert the danger and the veteran midfielder only succeeded in impeding the goalkeeper who then needed medical attention.
Kadzola came close for How Mine in the 29th minute but Gambo made a fine save. In the 35th minute, Kadzola, from a free kick outside the box, found Xolisani Moyo who blasted the ball into the side netting.
Just before the halftime break, Chitereki made a superb run on the left and with the goalkeeper to beat, he unbelievably guided his shot over the bar.
Bayelsa opened the scoring a minute into the second half when Okorowanta punished a languid How Mine defence to slam the ball into the back of the nets for the Nigerians' valuable away goal.
Musharu was sent through in the 58th minute and before the striker, who boasts of six goals so far in the competition, could pull the trigger, an alert Gabriel Ikechukwu made the clearance.
How Mine finally equalised on the hour mark with Moyo providing the pass for Kadzola who thumped the ball into the nets.
With nine minutes left, Musharu was denied his seventh goal of the tournament when his attempt was blocked out for a corner by Bayelsa skipper Salomon Junior.
The winner finally came for Chikurupati in the referee's optional time when Kadzola was brought down in the box by Adegoke Mutiu. Referee Mensur Maeruf from Eritrea pointed to the spot before showing the culprit a yellow card. Mupera made sure of his side's win when he tucked the ball under a diving Gambo who unsuccessfully went the right way.
How Mine coach Philani Ncube lamented missed opportunities by his players but was confident of making it through to the next round of the competition, which is the play off for the group stages.
ZIMBABWE'S representatives in the Orange Confederation of African Football Confederations Cup, How Mine, did themselves a disservice when they toiled to victory over Nigerian side Bayelsa United in a second round, first leg match at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
How Mine wasted plenty of goal scoring opportunities but eventually triumphed through second half goals from Morris Kadzola and a penalty converted by veteran Menard Mupera. This was after the visitors had taken the lead through Bernard Okorowanta early into the second half.
The Nigerians should be the most content of the two teams going into the second leg at the weekend in Nigeria as the away goal puts them at an advantage.
It was Bayelsa who showed attacking intent soon after kickoff and the home side's captain, Gilbert Banda did well to block on the line a goal bound effort from Okorowanta while at the other end, Mupera blazed over the bar with a first time powerful shot three minutes into the match. Okorowanta saw his curling effort go over the bar with six minutes gone.
Then How Mine striker Kudakwashe Musharu wasted a chance to score after a fine cross from Mupera while a wasteful James Chitereki missed a fine opportunity to put How Mine ahead when he failed to get to the end of a perfect delivery into the box from Kadzola.
Mupera was slow to react to a Chitereki pass with Bayelsa goalkeeper Gideon Gambo coming out to avert the danger and the veteran midfielder only succeeded in impeding the goalkeeper who then needed medical attention.
Kadzola came close for How Mine in the 29th minute but Gambo made a fine save. In the 35th minute, Kadzola, from a free kick outside the box, found Xolisani Moyo who blasted the ball into the side netting.
Just before the halftime break, Chitereki made a superb run on the left and with the goalkeeper to beat, he unbelievably guided his shot over the bar.
Bayelsa opened the scoring a minute into the second half when Okorowanta punished a languid How Mine defence to slam the ball into the back of the nets for the Nigerians' valuable away goal.
Musharu was sent through in the 58th minute and before the striker, who boasts of six goals so far in the competition, could pull the trigger, an alert Gabriel Ikechukwu made the clearance.
How Mine finally equalised on the hour mark with Moyo providing the pass for Kadzola who thumped the ball into the nets.
With nine minutes left, Musharu was denied his seventh goal of the tournament when his attempt was blocked out for a corner by Bayelsa skipper Salomon Junior.
The winner finally came for Chikurupati in the referee's optional time when Kadzola was brought down in the box by Adegoke Mutiu. Referee Mensur Maeruf from Eritrea pointed to the spot before showing the culprit a yellow card. Mupera made sure of his side's win when he tucked the ball under a diving Gambo who unsuccessfully went the right way.
How Mine coach Philani Ncube lamented missed opportunities by his players but was confident of making it through to the next round of the competition, which is the play off for the group stages.
Source - Sunday News
