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Kelvin Kaindu

Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
How Mine 2-1 Bantu Rovers

IT was a tale of two halves as How Mine progressed to the next stage of the Chibuku Super Cup after beating Bantu Rovers in a tightly contested encounter at Ascot Stadium yesterday.

Kuda Musharu thrust How Mine into the lead in the second minute and Thembani Masuku doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute.

Rovers reduced the arrears in the 64th minute through McCarthy Dube.

Tshintsha Guluva felt hard done by the match officials after they were denied what appeared like a genuine penalty when Dube was felled in the box.

However, the centre official waved play on after the second assistant had raised his flag for a foul.

After consultations, the referee’s decision stood much to the chagrin of Rovers’ players and a handful of supporters.

How Mine opened proceedings by probing their opponents’ defence and it didn’t take long for them to surge ahead when Mushure got possession in Rovers’ box and unleashed a thunderbolt, which goalkeeper Notice Dube spilled. Musharu reacted quicker to tap the ball into the net.

How Mine laid siege on the Rovers’ goal and were duly rewarded in the 33rd minute when Masuku doubled their advantage.

The second half belonged to Rovers, but they were let down by poor finishing.

They deservedly scored through Dube, who rifled home from close range, leaving goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya stranded following some neat build-ups.

Then came the talking point in the 67th minute when Dube was felled inside the box, but the referee waved appeals away.

How Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu conceded that his side was lucky to win.

“It’s a hard fought victory and the most important thing is that we have progressed to the next round. It was not easy playing the youthful Bantu Rovers, especially after their victory against Tsholotsho. The pitch here at Ascot did not do us any favours also,” said Kaindu.

His Rovers’ counterpart Methembe Ndlovu praised his charges for a good fight, but refused to be drawn into commenting about the penalty.

“We gave our best effort, unfortunately, we could not get the result we wanted. I am proud of the boys, they gave their best. I wouldn’t want to talk about the penalty because of the repercussions and it would seem like we are bad losers,” said Ndlovu.

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