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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine 2-1 Hwange
VETERAN Hwange goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda gifted How Mine with two priceless goals in a game the coal miners totally dominated at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

Joint 2014 Golden Boot winner Kudakwashe Musharu opened the scoring for the Luke Masomere coached gold miners in Bulawayo in the 11th minute when he headed in a Wonder Sithole freekick from the edge of the box.

Sibanda, a former national team trialist, was adjudged to have fouled a charging How Mine forward and from the resultant set piece, the gold miners surged ahead. The goal was simply priceless.

“We were lucky to emerge winners. Hwange played well and were far much better than us,” said Masomere in his post match interview.

In an evenly balanced match, the visitors tried to crack open the home side’s defence but Nelson Tachi was always their biggest hurdle.

It was unfortunate that the defender had to be substituted because of an injury, making way for former Highlanders skipper Gilbert Banda three minutes before time.

Despite being down by a goal, Nation Dube’s boys kept piling pressure on their hosts but could not penetrate the How Mine defence until the 25th minute when their find-of-the-season Newman Sianchali struck.

National team player, Evans Rusike roasted his marker on the right flank and flighted an inviting cross that found Sianchali properly positioned on the penalty spot, and the lanky forward had the easiest of tasks.

In the 33rd minute, Hwange goalie Sibanda was called to action when he acrobatically tipped over a Timothy January goal-bound shot from inside the box.

The first half ended with the two sides level 1-1.

Nine minutes into the second half, Sibanda presented the hosts the winner after he spilled a harmless-looking cross from the right flank. The ball fell to a grateful Limited Chikafa, who tapped into an empty net.

“We missed a number of chances but I’m not happy with the first goal though,” said Dube after the match.

He ruled out relegation for his team.

“It’s not an issue. We’ll survive,” he said.

Teams

How Mine: M Diya, T Kumbuyani, J Chitereki (M Gutu 74th min), M Mupera, B Marere, M Kadzola, L Chikafa, N Tachi (G Banda 87th min), K Musharu, W Sithole (T Masuku 56th min), T January

Hwange: T Sibanda, A Chuma, G Ndlovu, D Boriwondo, M Mungadze, C Muleya, F Vimisai (G Zulu 70th min), P Mphelele, R Chinyengetere, E Rusike, N Sianchali