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Kuda Musharu of How Mine tries to work his way past Liberty Chakaroma of Buffaloes yesterday

Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
How Mine 1-1 Buffaloes
HOW Mine began life in the Castle Lager Premiership without Philani Ncube with a draw at home.
Isheanesu Chaka was in charge of the lads at Hartsfield Stadium in a match that left them still searching for clues as to how they can steer their boat to safety.

Kastigu Juwankinyu broke the deadlock in the 18th minute looping his header over outdrawn young goalkeeper Donovan Bernard. Kuda Musharu was to break his three-month long goal drought with a flashing header to the far post from a corner kick a minute later. Neither club could find the target after that though it was the home team that created more chances and were let down by poor finishing.

Wonder Sithole, the former Dynamos and Masvingo United star, tested the visitors’ goalkeeper Itayi Chiwara in the 10th minute with a tricky freekick from the right flank. How Mine from that save by Chiwara went on to get four consecutive corner kicks which they failed to utilise within the pace of 70 seconds and the last was a clean catch by the goalkeeper.

Musharu turned provider for Eddie Muzanenhamo in the 17th minute laying a pass which was struck first time to the Buffaloes’ goalkeeper’s right only for it to miss the upright.

A few moments later play swung to the How Mine goal area. A throw-in was flicked on by lanky Tafadzwa Mombeshora, and Kastigu ghosted in the centre to head the ball past Donovan with Gilbert Banda and Nyasha Mukumbi spectators.

However, the goal did not prove a setback as How Mine replied immediately with Musharu latching to a corner kick from the right with a beautiful header.

A rare attacking first time pass delivered timeously by often wasteful Timothy January was blown by Godfrey Nguwodzawo with just the goalkeeper to beat in the 26th minute.

Buffaloes came close to surging forward on 34 minutes but Juwankinyu’s hard and low drive hit the side netting after he had been set up by Lloyd Katongomara.

Banda had his firm header cleared off the line in the 38th minute with Nguwodzawo shooting straight at Chiwara in the 45th minute. In the opening stanza, How Mine had a number of constructive build ups which were however not done justice to by the forwards.
The second half was not as exciting though How Mine fluffed several chances.

Both teams did not improve their positions after gaining a point each with Buffaloes staying on seventh with 28 points while How Mine are 11th with 24.

Timothy Masachi, the stand-in Buffaloes coach was happy with the point gained on the road. He however bemoaned the conceded goal as it showed lack of concentration. “It is a nice thing to get a point away from home. Like the previous match we scored and then lost concentration,” he said.

Chaka was happy that his boys came off the blocks with a draw in his first league match.
“Everything is fine, it was fair to pick up a point. We have to wake up and pick up points, we conceded a stupid goal. Musharu is working hard, we have been trying to psyche him up.”

Teams
How Mine: B Donovan, M Kadzola, B Dube, N Mukumbi, W Sithole, G Banda, E Muzanenhamo, T Masuku (L Matawu 64th minute), K Musharu, J Timothy (C Masocha 89th minute), G Nguwodzawo (E Mandiranga 50th minute)
Buffaloes: I Chiwara, S Nketha (M Nyamakasu 50th minute), K Thembani, P Chandisaita, L Chakaroma, T Mombeshora, M Machazane, L Katongomara (J Takunda 81st minute), J Muzokomba, K Juwankinyu, E Phiri (K Mwazimba 25th minute)