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Tobias Mandoreba Hwange Sports Correspondent
Hwange 1 – 1 FC Platinum
A RARE lapse in concentration by the usually dependable Hwange defence seven minutes from time denied the coalminers maximum points in a League match against FC Platinum at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

With the home fans singing themselves hoarse and dancing wildly in anticipation of a sweet victory after a wonder goal by left winger Pritchard Mpelele in the 64th minute, Hwange defenders momentarily went to sleep allowing striker Walter Musona acres of space on the right flank.

He then released a delightful pass to an unmarked Obrey Chirwa, who obliged by scoring from close range.

The manner in which the goal was conceded could easily have given Chipangano coach Nation Dube a heart attack.

Hwange took an early lead when Mpelele, who is maturing with each match, hammered home a left-footed thunderbolt from 30 metres out after latching onto a clever flick by the hard running Evans Rusike.

Mpelele’s effort was written “goal” from the very moment it left his foot and is a contender for the best goals at the Colliery.

The hosts had started the match fired up to erase the memories of a disappointing 0-1 loss to Whawha in Gweru last week.

Hardly a minute into the match, Hwange earned a free kick on the edge of the box but their free kick specialist Tonisani Sibelo smashed his effort against the FC Platinum wall.

On the quarter hour mark, Rusike had a glorious opportunity to give the coalminers the lead but he watched in utter disbelief as his volley from close range was superbly blocked by FC Platinum defender Raymond Sibanda, with goalkeeper Petros Mhari seemingly diving in vain.

FC Platinum finally justified their long trip from Zvishavane on the half hour mark when striker Donald Ngoma waltzed past David Boriwondo and Gerald Ndlovu and sent an inviting cross that found no takers in the box.

The visitors had another attack involving Musona and Wisdom Mutasa, but the move was wasted.

The second half started with Hwange knocking on the platinum miners’ door and it was no surprise when they raced into the lead midway through.

FC Platinum gaffer Norman Mapeza has goalkeeper Mhari to thank for a precious point as the former Chipangano shot stopper produced the save of the afternoon deep into injury time to deny substitute Innocent Mucheneka with a point blank save after the youngster had been tactically fed by fellow substitute Newman Sianchali.

Hwange goalkeeping coach Chenjerayi Dube fumed at his defence for allowing Platinum to snatch a draw.

“We simply lost the plot by conceding such a soft goal where the defence showed some laxity in marking. We thought we had won the game, which is wrong mentality in football, but we played well,” said Dube.

Mapeza was happy with a point away from his Zvishavane base.

“The game wasn’t all that lively but I’m happy my boys fought for the draw away from home,” said Mapeza.

TEAMS:

HWANGE: T Sibanda; T Sibelo; M Mungadze; G Ndlovu; D Boriwondo; C Muleya; F Vimisai; I Masame(N Sianchali 85th min); R Chinyengetere(I Mucheneka 63th min); E Rusike; P Mpelele.

FC PLATINUM: P Mhari; R Muduviwa(S Shoko 80th min); G Bello; R Sibanda; T Kamusoko; W Mhango; W Mutasa(A Gahadzikwa 51st min); W Musona; I Nekati; D Ngoma; O Chirwa.