HIGHLANDERS suffered their third defeat of the season to Hwange in an exhilarating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

HIGHLANDERS  . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . 0

HWANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1

HIGHLANDERS suffered their third defeat of the season to Hwange in an exhilarating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

The solitary goal by substitute Lloyd Mtoma derailed Highlanders’ title aspirations as they remain on 44 points, four behind leaders Ngezi Platinum who posted a victory over ZPC Kariba on Saturday.

Hwange’s goal came in the 60th minute through Mtoma’s first touch coming from the bench. He launched a cracker from outside the penalty box to beat goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda all systems out and sent the coalminers’ supporters into frenzy.

Hwange goalkeepers’ coach Edmore Sibanda was happy with the win and said his boys are motivated by playing big teams.

“We played well and when we play big teams like Highlanders, the boys get motivated. We were playing a big team that is why we came out with a victory,” he said.

His opposite Baltemar Brito was visibly disappointed, but said his boys played well.

“When they scored that goal, we did nothing, zero and that was wrong. The game was a good one. We created many chances, but we did not score. This is football and at this moment in time we have lost four times. We have lost, but other teams also have many defeats so that is not a problem,” Brito said.

A chance for Highlanders came in the sixth minute from a Elshamar Farasi weak shot which looked not dangerous at all, but eluded Hwange goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya and narrowly missed the upright post.

Four minutes later, Lynoth Chikuhwa did well to control on the left and beat one man, but sent his effort into no man’s land.

The resultant goal-kick from Madeya found Pritchard Mpelele loose and he made a move into Highlanders’ penalty area, but delayed to take a shot until Highlanders midfielder Melikhaya Ncube disturbed him.

The coalminers were awarded a free-kick just outside the box in the 15th minute, but Jofias Mumpande’s effort from the set-piece went straight into the Highlanders defence wall.

A header by Peter Muduhwa in the 21st minute was saved by Madeya after referee Mhaka Magare awarded Highlanders a free-kick on the edge of the box after Raylton Maphosa brought down Farasi.

Then Highlanders was all over Hwange, attacking the hosts on the left and coach Nation Dube made a quick decision to take out Maphosa and replace him with Brendon Rendo.

But action swung from one end to the other as Hwange also looked determined, but Mpelele was wasteful upfront. Marceline Mlilo for Chipangano made a solo run on the left into the box in the 39th minute, but failed to pack a shot.

Hwange finished the first half with some brilliant moves upfront engineered by veteran midfielder Canaan Nkomo with Mpelele in the mix; the desired goal was, however, elusive.

Madeya came to Hwange’s rescue in the 80th minute punching away for a corner a substitute Calvin Chigonera shot from inside the box.

Teams

Hwange: N Madeya, J Mumpande, C Nkomo (T Goredema 88′), R Maphosa (B Rendo 25′), G Goriyati, S Sithole, P Mpelele (J Chivasa 59′), S Gadzikwa, T Muvuti (L Mtoma 59′), L Sibanda, M Mlilo (C Sibanda 88′)

Highlanders: A Sibanda, A Mbeba, A Faira, M Ndlovu, P Muduhwa, M Mushore, P Ndlovu, E Farasi, L Chikuhwa, M Mushore, M Ncube (C Chigonero 78′)

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Coach Saul Chaminuka, however, heaved a huge sigh of relief, especially with his job on the line.

BLACK RHINOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

MANICA DIAMONDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

BLACK Rhinos put up a determined passion-filled performance to come from behind and beat title challengers Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Bata stadium yesterday.

Lot Chiwunga and Garikai Dematsika scored the crucial goals for Black Rhinos, while Fortune Binzi grabbed the Gem boys’ consolation.

Black Rhinos, however, remain stuck in the relegation mix although they moved one place above Craneborne Bullets, with 21 points on their tally.

Coach Saul Chaminuka, however, heaved a huge sigh of relief, especially with his job on the line.

“Our boys needed this win at least to build some confidence. It’s the only thing we needed to be on course,” Chaminuka said.

“There is still a lot to play for and you can see this from the way we played today. Everyone is determined to be out of the relegation zone and it makes me happy to see that everyone is willing to fight to this level.

Manica Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera refused to bury his head in shame saying his team did well, despite the result.

“This was an open game and from the onset we played well. And we lost to a determined, Black Rhino,” Tapera said.

“We are not playing for the title. We are happy with the progress made so far. It’s a marathon, and we accept anything, any result and any achievement that comes our way.

“At the moment we’re happy with the players and we are going to continue working for better results.”

Rhinos started on the front-foot and Dematsika had their first chance after six minutes, but his powerful header was tipped over the bar by goalie Tedious Baye.

Moments later Evans Katema forced Tedious Baye to make a diving save with a powerful striker from range.

While Manica Diamonds were kept at bay, Black Rhinos kept attacking and Lot Chiwunga hit the upright post after 16 minutes, with a low shot from inside the box.

The Gem Boys had their first meaningful chance after 23 minutes and converted.

Goalkeeper Lenon Gonese was to blame after being dispossessed by Micheal Tapera outside box. Tapera’s cross was tapped home by Fortune Binzi.

After 41 minutes, Black Rhinos were denied what looked like a clear penalty by referee Grace Gimo when Lot Chiwunga was crudely tackled by Kelvin Gwao from behind in the box.

The army-side threatened again when play resumed in the second half, with Lot Chiwunga failing to beat Baye from close range after a goal mouth melee.

Chiwunga equalised on the 67th minute, after heading the ball home from a delightful cross whipped in by Tatenda Mchisa. Rhinos kept pressing hard, but the Manica Diamonds goalie Tedious Baye did well to repel several shots on targets from the likes of Valentine Katsande, Lot Chiwunga and Garikai Dematsika.

Dematsika thrust the soldiers ahead on the 89th minute after making a solo run, from the centre line before unleashing a rasping low shot that beat a diving, Baye.

Teams

Black Rhinos: L Gonese, C Nyakope, G Saunyama, T Mchisa, D Mutimuzunze, N Mhlanga, G Dematsika, A Gahadzikwa( K Nyakudanga 56′), V Katsande, L Chiwunga, E Katema( S Chikwerengwe 83′).

Manica Diamonds: T Baye, K Gwao, B Chikwenya, T Mavhunga, C Teguru(L Chakoroma 86′), B Amidu(T Chisi 70′), M Tapera(D Ngoma 70′), R Kawondera, T Macheke( L Masibera 46′), F Binzi

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