Hwange, ZPC Kariba draw

Hwange 1 - 1 ZPC Kariba
A well-taken goal by Talent Chawapiwa at the death of full time prevented the coalminers from totally switching off ZPC Kariba as hosts Hwange and the electricity generators shared the spoils in this evenly contested Castle Lager Premier League match played in simmering heat at the Colliery yesterday. The goal broke the hearts of the Hwange fans who had hoped their team would quickly recover from the 0-1 loss away to Chicken Inn last Thursday in Bulawayo.

A rare lapse in concentration by the usually dependable defensive duo of David Boriwondo and Gerald Ndlovu saw Chawapiwa having all the time in the world inside the box to control a long ball from substitute Daniel Chakupe before banging home past an exposed goalkeeper Future Sibanda.

The strike cancelled out a wonder strike from Hwange winger Pritchard Mpelele who had given the hosts the lead in the 70th minute with a cracking 30 metre effort after latching on a half clearance by the ZPC Kariba defence to produce one of the most memorable goals ever witnessed at this venue in recent memory.

Former Hwange goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya was left clutching thin air as the rocket of a shot almost tore the nets with ferocity and pace. Away from the goals, this encounter only came to life in the last half as the visitors spent the entire opening stanza camped in their own half waiting to hit the miners on counter attacks.

Hwange could have grabbed the opener in the 10th minute when anchorman Andrew Tshuma latched on to a fine pass by talismanic striker Gift Mbweti before unleashing a thunderbolt, which drew the best out from Mawaya.

Mawaya was to produce another spectacular save from a one on one situation midway in the opening half to deny Mbweti who had escaped the close attention of big defenders Tawanda Nyamandwe and Boid Mutukure, who spent the whole afternoon sticking on the young slippery livewire like a leech.

ZPC Kariba came out of their shells in the last half with Never Tigere hitting the post seven minutes after the breather after a lethal attack revolving around Tigere. Moments after Tigere's effort Mpelele could have drawn first blood only to watch in agony as his rasping shot from the edge of the box crash against the crossbar with Mawaya a beaten man.

The tactical substitutions by ZPC coach Sunday Chidzambwa of throwing in Daniel Chakupe and Godknows Mangani for Lincolin Zvasiya and Tigere in the last half saved the day as the duo lifted the game with some lovely attacking play through the wings with Chakupe being instrumental in the equaliser.

The same cannot be said of Hwange coach Mebelo Njekwa's substitution as home fans were furious with him at the end of the encounter for making a defensive minded substitution to safeguard the slender lead by pulling out young defender Wilfred Munorewi, who had a decent first game in Hwange colours, for Phakamani Dube instead of probably throwing in attacking options like Newman Sianchali and Innocent Mucheneka to look for a cushion goal.

An unfazed Njekwa admitted that some lapse in concentration by his defence had cost them three precious points. "The defence slept on duty and allowed ZPC Kariba to snatch a point. However coming from a loss it is better to get one coz it adds on the numbers. We will continue fighting." He said.