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Tobias Mandoreba Hwange Correspondent
 Hwange 4-1 Chapungu
A fired up Hwange produced a blistering display to shoot down Chapungu in an entertaining Premiership match played at the Colliery Stadium yesterday. The coalminers came into the match hard pressed for a win after losing 2-0 to Shabanie Mine before the two- week break in the league. In sharp contrast of fortunes, the airmen landed into Hwange with their tails up having roasted Chicken Inn 3-1 at Ascot Stadium.

If Chapungu thought they could fly back to the Midlands capital with maximum points, they were in for a rude shock as Chipangano were in no mood for favours, producing one of their best displays this season.

The visitors had missed an early chance in the match after Gift Phiri’s free kick grazed some paint off the crossbar before Isaac Masame and Farai Vimisai exchanged some lovely passes in the Chapungu half. The former’s scorching free kick was bravely parried back into play by goalkeeper Alexander Useni in the 5th minute.

The airmen were not intimidated as Victor Bangira also threatened in the 10th minute after he dispossessed Hwange captain Gerald Ndlovu at the edge of the box only to produce a weak effort at goal.

The miners took the initiative and it was no surprise when they surged ahead in the 20th minute through double scorer Evans Rusike who was returning from a long lay off due to injury.

Hwange’s enterprising left winger Pritchard Mpelele roasted defender Collen Kwaramba near the corner flag before laying a sitter for Rusike who responded by unleashing a thunderous volley which left the goal minder Useni clutching thin air.

Sensing that the long trip from Gweru was fast turning into a nightmare, Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino dragged out the ineffective Maxwell Mavuto for Hillary Mugoniwa three minutes after Hwange’s opener.

Mugoniwa’s first touch, a glancing header off a delicate corner kick by Bangira, could have left Chapungu level but his effort missed the target by a few inches. The airmen then pinned the coalminers in their own half with some incessant pressure which led to their equaliser in the 38th minute through the head of veteran Phillip Marufu who flicked a curling corner kick by Gift into the roof of the nets to leave the home fans stunned.

Hwange regained their lead in the 54th minute after lanky defender David Boriwondo rose high to power home a flashing header which Chapungu defender Liberty Khimu desperately tried to prevent from crossing the line only for the first assistant Brighton Nyika to signal to the match referee Mandlenkosi Sibanda that the effort was scooped out after it had gone in.

The airmen were not given any room to recover as in the 66th minute Rusike grabbed his second goal with a cheeky back heeler which deceived Useni before rolling into the back of the nets.

Again, the goal was a product of Hwange’s outstanding player of the afternoon Mpelele’s fancy footwork on the left flank as he left two defenders in a heap before releasing to a well-positioned Rusike.

Substitute Alec Marime then put the icing on the cake for the coalminers six minutes from time when he ghosted in from nowhere to head in a long free kick from defender Tonisani Sibelo.

The goal sealed Chapungu’s fate as they wondered what went wrong after a promising first half display.
Hwange goalkeepers’ coach Chenjerayi Dube praised his boys for the demolition show which brought Chapungu crashing down to mother earth with a thud.

“I’m more than happy after getting the maximum points. With more precision in front of goal especially in the first half, we could have embarrassed Chapungu with a rugby scoreline win,” said an elated Dube.
Nyikadzino paid tribute to Hwange.

“All the credit goes to Hwange for the hard work which gave them the three points though I’ve a question on the legitimacy of the second goal but such is football,” he said.

Teams
HWANGE: T Mawaya; T Sibelo; M Mungadze; G Ndlovu; D Boriwondo; C Muleya; F Vimisai (T Chese 84th min); I Masame (T Chamboko 84th min); E Rusike; P Mpelele; N Siwela (A Marime 56th min)

CHAPUNGU: A Useni; W Ngonya; L Khimu; C Kwaramba; B Zabula; N Murisa; G Phiri; C Murisa (R Mhlanga 64th min); M Mavuto (H Mugoniwa 23th min); V Bangira; P Marufu (B Mugoni 77th min).