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Tobias Mandoreba, Hwange Correspondent
Hwange 0-1 Manica Diamonds

THE football gods continued to turn their backs on Chipangano after 10-man Hwange stumbled in front of their homes fans, losing to visiting Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played before a huge crowd at the Colliery Stadium yesterday.

Not only have the coalminers now failed to win at home in 270 minutes of football action, they have also not scored a single goal at home and the faces of their passionate fans at the final whistle told a big story of despair and dejection.

They are wondering what is happening at home especially after the 2-1 away win to Herentals last weekend at National Sports Stadium gave them hope that the next home game would yield positive tidings.

Jairos Tapera

Manica Diamonds were quick off the blocks with some purposeful play as they forced man of the match and Hwange goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya to make two stunning saves in the opening four minutes.

Madeya had no answer to Farai Banda’s glancing header in the fifth minute after another lethal attack by the Gem Boys.

Hwange then fought back with determination and on the half hour mark they thought they had got the much needed reprieve when striker Courage Sibanda was hacked down inside the box and referee Allen Bhasvi pointed to the spot.

The Bulawayo-based referee changed his decision after consultation with assistant referee Michael Zulu who adjudged that Sibanda was in an offside position when the incident happened.

The world then crumbled on the coalminers as defender Brian Mlotshwa was given a red card by Bhasvi at the start of the last half for inciting language to leave Chipangano with a mountain to climb with numerical disadvantage.

The second half saw Madeya become a hero with more than a half dozen point blank saves to deny Manica Diamonds who turned the screws and threatened to overrun Hwange who to their credit, gave a good show in the last stanza but the equalising goal couldn’t come.

Hwange coach Nation Dube said the early goal upset their plans and also the pressure of playing at home is still taking its toll on the boys but was hopeful they could do better in the next game.

Nation Dube

Manica Diamonds assistant coach Tafadzwa Mashiri, standing in for head coach Jairos Tapera, heaped praises to his charges for the effort to get three points on the road.

Teams
Hwange: N Madeya, E Zulu, K Shiyandindi, G Gumpo, B Mlotshwa, C Nkomo (S Sithole, 68th minute), C Tshuma (B Makopa, 46th minute), S Gadzikwa, B Ngoma (L Sibanda, 46th minute), C Sibanda (J Chivasa, 78th minute)
Manica Diamonds: T Baye, T Chisi, F Banda, K Gwao, T Mavhunga, L Chakoroma, B Chinokwenya (C Teguru, 53rd minute), B Amidu, F Binzi, P Mutasa (P Manhanga, 53rd minute), D Ngoma (G Bero, 76th minute)
— @tobymandox