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Bulawayo City defender Lewis Ncube (left) tries to make his way past Chicken Inn’s Ishmael Lawe while Michael Bhebhe (right) monitors the action during a Heroes Day match at White City Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday

Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange 2-1 ZPC Hwange

HWANGE FC were made to shed gallons of sweat to chalk up a victory against a stubborn and resilient Zifa Southern Region Division One outfit ZPC Hwange at a Heroes Day Celebrations challenge match played before a huge crowd at the Colliery Stadium yesterday afternoon.

Soccer fans who thronged the match venue anticipating a harvest of goals by the coalminers must have left with the full realisation that there is only a very thin line that separates the nation’s elite league and the second tier league.

The coalminers started the match on the offensive and were probing from the first whistle of a game handled by impressive and upcoming Hwange referee Vusumuzi Dube.

It was no surprise when they raced into the lead on the quarter hour mark courtesy of striker Tendai Mate who came at the end of a teasing Nomore Chinyerere cross to toe poke home past an exposed goalkeeper Harmons Nare.

In the 23th minute Chipangano doubled their lead from the penalty spot after a ZPC Hwange defender clearly handled another Chinyerere trademark cross in an attempt to clear the ball.

Hwange right back Crispen Dicksen’s well taken penalty nestled into the far post leaving Nare diving in vain.

Just two minutes later ZPC Hwange proved they were no pushovers in the contest by pulling one back after a swift counter attack saw them beating an ill-timed Hwange offside trap leaving striker Rashid Kanyenze with all the time in the world to coolly slot past an outdrawn Collen Phiri in goals for the visitors.

ZPC Hwange were unlucky not to have gone to the breather on level terms after midfielder Keith Mavunga rammed his blistering free kick on to the crossbar in the 40th minute.

The second half was a balanced affair as both teams traded blows.  Hwange second choice goalkeeper Phiri proved he has a bright future in between the posts with a disciplined show to deny a ZPC Hwange possible upset.

The introduction by coach Bigboy Mawiwi of some regulars for Hwange who include Nathan Ziwini, Justine Kaunda, Crybert Muvuti and Collen Muleya added some firepower in the attack but Ingagula based side’s defence well marshalled by ageless defender Tofireyi Sambo defended solidly to the end.

The match will be fondly remembered for the exploits of youngsters Delic Murimba and Desire Shumbanhete who exhibited flashes of brilliance for their respective sides throughout the lively contest.

Meanwhile, Michael Bhebhe’s sixth minute strike powered Chicken Inn to victory against Bulawayo City at White City Stadium.

City and Chicken Inn fielded second string sides.

Chicken Inn’s goalkeepers’ coach Julius Ndlovu was happy to have won the match.

“It was a very good game. We’re very happy with the result,” Ndlovu said adding that the game helped the technical side to assess the ability of their fringe players.

City’s technical director Barry Daka said: “I’m impressed with the way the boys played and a couple of the players showed their worth,” Daka said.

@tobymandox