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Mukudzei Chingwere, Harare Bureau
Nichrut 3-0 Harare City

RELEGATION-threatened, Nichrut recorded their biggest win of the season and dedicated it to their injured coach John Nyikadzino, with a heavy dispatch of Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot yesterday.

Goals by Shepherd Sithole, a Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye own goal and Frankson Bushiri’s late strike completed the hosts victory.

But Nichrut were dealt a blow before the match after their coach Nyikadzino and his 22-year-old son, Nixon, were yesterday morning involved in a car crash on their way from Shurugwi to Gweru for the league match.

Nixon was last night discharged from hospital while the coach is recovering at Clay Bank hospital in Gweru where he is receiving medication for varying degrees of injuries.

Nyikadzino told The Herald that he was in great pain but was out of danger.

Yesterday’s win propelled them out of the relegation zone and are now a point above the drop zone on the standings, with 31 points, while Harare City remained on 40 points and now eight points adrift of a top four spot.

Harare City contained Nichrut in the opening half but were put to the sword after the breather with Sithole capitalising on a mistake by Raymond Uchena moments after the breather to give the hosts an early second half lead.

Moments later miscommunication between Uchena and Nyenye saw the latter beating his own goalkeeper.

Two minutes before full time Bushiri added gloss to the score line with a powerful shot outside the box that left expatriate glove man Ryan Harrison stranded.

Nichrut stand-in coach William Mhazo said he told his players to sacrifice to get maximum points which will leave the injured Nyikadzino at peace for a speedy recovery.

“We dedicate this win to our coach, at half-time we told our players to do all they can to get maximum points for the coach.

“There is nothing special we really did but we psyched each other up the coaches and the players and I am happy the sacrifices made by the players gave us maximum points,” said Mhazo.

City coach Mark Harrison conceded they made mistakes but accused the referee of adding to their downfall.

“We made two mistakes that allowed them to get two goals and also I feel some decisions were very much against us,” said Harrison.
Teams:
Nichrut; S Chakwana, E Mwinga, S Sithole (T Taruvinga 90th min), D Boriwondo, W Pakamisa (A Kanchwanchwa 81st min), N Moyo, F Vimisayi, A Maliselo (N Mpinduku 46th min), A Nhongo, G Bhero, F Bushiri.

Harare City; R Harrison, H Chapusha, G Madhaike, M Muchenje, M Diro-Nyenye, B Chayambuka, L Muyambo, R Uchena, I Wadi (D Chimwemwe 70th min), K Musharu, T Pio (W Manondo 56th min).