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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine 0-0 Chiredzi
THE adage “the last kicks of a dying horse are dangerous” aptly describes relegated Chiredzi FC’s performance against How Mine FC as they spoilt the day for the goldminers who are fighting for their Premiership survival.

With a bit of luck and precision in front of goal, the South-Eastern Lowveld side, who had no substitute goalkeeper on their bench yesterday, could have left Hartsfield Stadium with maximum points.

Chiredzi FC’s strategy was to get their hosts on counter attacks and knowing that How Mine were pressed for maximum points to move up the ladder to a safer place, their plan almost worked.

But it was the hosts who almost surged ahead but the upright came to the rescue of Chiredzi FC on the half-hour mark denying Menard Mupera a goal from a freekick just outside the box after Muchineripi Muneri had brought down Timothy January.

Two minutes before the break, the visitors could have shot into the lead when Sam Msimbi worked his way past two defenders only to shoot over the bar from the penalty area.

The second half was livelier than the first as both teams raised the tempo of their game and the visitors, just like their opponents, fluffed a number of scoring opportunities.

Mupera hit the upright again in the 57th minute and Caleb Masocha missed a sitter off a January cross three minutes later.

Godfrey Nguwodzawo of How Mine was twice denied by the visitors’ goalkeeper Simon Kafitire who had a great game.

Leopold Kanyemba could have found the winner for Chiredzi FC in the 78th minute after dribbling past the entire How Mine defence including the goalkeeper but his weak shot intended for the empty net was blocked by Gilbert Banda.

“One thing that I respect about my team is that we play quality football. We’re down but we won’t go out without giving a fight,” said Gishon Ntini, Chiredzi’s coach.

His counterpart at How Mine, Luke Masomere said; “It’s unfortunate that we failed to convert our chances and we’re going to work on our finishing ahead of our next game against Shabanie Mine.”

Teams

How Mine: Donovan Benard, Gilbert Banda, Nelson Tachi, Nyasha Mukumbi, James Chitereki, Menard Mupera, Wonder Sithole, Louis Matawu (Mandla Sibanda, 52nd minute), Timothy January (Emmanuel Mandiranga, 86th minute), Kuda Musharu, Caleb Masocha (Godfrey Nguwodzawo, 65th minute)

Chiredzi: Simon Kafitire, Tinashe Mutete, David Sengu, Daburn Bakali, Muchineripi Muneri, Munashe Chinembeza, Tawanda Mpungu, Tawanda Muyendi, Sam Msimbi (Leopold Kanyemba 72nd minute), Trvor Ndlovu (Malven Gaki, 72nd minute)