SHABANIE Mine finally remembered how to win when they dispatched a battling Hwange at Maglas yesterday.
The asbestos miners had gone 360 minutes without scoring a goal and were bottom of the log after suffering losses to Highlanders (away) Chicken Inn (home) CAPS United and Motor Acton (away).
They fired their coach Saul Chaminuka in the process and Arnold Jani was appointed caretaker coach assisted by Andrew Chisunga but the new coaches lost their first two games.
Yesterday Tawanda Mareya fired Shabanie into the lead in the fourth minute after fine work by the impressive Rowan Nenzou.
Four minutes later Jonathan Chitereki doubled the lead for the hosts after another big contribution by Nenzou.
But in the 30th minute a needless back pass to goalkeeper Roy Mazingi resulted in a foul on striker Tongai Mangwendere and Chiredzi referee Dennis Maphosa pointed to the spot.
Gilbert Zulu converted from the spot for Hwange.
The coalminers could have equalised in the 46th minute through Aaron Katibe but his effort was tipped over the bar by Mazingi.
Then Nenzou shook his head in disbelief when his free-kick kissed the crossbar with goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda a mere spectator.
Eight minutes from time, after soaking intense pressure from Hwange, the hosts made the game safe when a spirited run by Mareya created an opening for Lennon Chisunga who dribbled past Aaron Katibe before sending the ball past the advancing Hwange goalkeeper.
But two minutes later Hwange were gifted a lifeline when captain Tafadzwa Mombeshora beat his own goalkeeper with a header. Hwange stand-in coach Nation Dube blamed the referee for the defeat.
“The ground was uneven.The Shabanie goalkeeper fouled my striker Tongai and we were awarded a penalty. Why did he not caution the goalkeeper? The referee was defending,” he said.
His counterpart Jani was a happy man.
“I am happy that my boys played as a unit. They worked very hard for the victory. We went through a bad spell but we were playing very well and I am happy that we scored goals today. We had defensive errors but that’s part of football “he said.
Teams
Shabanie
R Mazingi,D Matsveru,S Shoko,P Marima,S Ndlovu(A Nyoni 61st ),R Nenzou(C Chisikana 86th ),B Dimanji,L Chisunga,J Chitereki(C Masocha 72nd ),T Mareya,T Mombeshora
Hwange
T Sibanda,A Chuma,S Dube,G Ndlovu,A Katebe,T Mangwendere,G Zulu,J Kapenya,R Chinyengetere,T Sibelo,S Jongwe(T Mamina 78th).

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