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CARETAKER coach Arnold Jani guided Shabanie to their second Castle Lager Premiership victory as Masvingo United’s shortcomings on the road were again exposed at Maglas yesterday.
Jani has now won against Hwange and Masvingo, both wins coming at home, while losing to Motor Acton, FC Platinum and CAPS United and drawing with Kiglon in Harare.
A strict discplinarian who suspended midfielders Rowan Nenzou, Smart Muchabaiwa and Michael Mageja, ahead of the Zvishavane derby, Jani is slowly becoming the crowd favourite. Shabanie turned on a polished display yesterday and could have scored more than four goals but, on three occasions, they hit the post.
Shabanie welcomed Mageja back from suspension and got the priceless goal in the 90th minute through the boot of Jonathan Chitereki.
With the match heading for a draw the asbestos miners won a corner kick and Lennon Chisunga’s lovely cross was turned in by Chitereki running in from the blind side. Finally Yuna Yuna goalkeeper Francis Tizayi, who had spent the whole afternoon breaking the home team fans’ heart with superb saves, had been beaten.
And it was all that Shabanie needed.
“It feels great to score the winning goal. It is my second goal of the season and I want to score more goals,” said Chitereki. “I would like to thank the fans and my teammates.”
A match between Masvingo and Shabanie has always been treated as a derby here because of the deep rivalry between the two sides from their days in Division One.
Saul Chaminuka – fired by Shabanie after just two games – was on the Masvingo bench as Luke Masomere’s assistant.
Shabanie coach Jani once played for Masvingo while Masomere had a stint at Shabanie as a player.
Chitereki fired a free-kick, after seven minutes, which drew the best out of Tizayi. Then gangly striker Tarisai Rukanda came face-to-face with Tizayi, after being sent through by Michael Mageja, but directed his effort wide.
Masvingo responded and in the 21st minute Johnson Zimbabe found space in the box but his effort was tipped for a corner by goalkeeper Roy Mazingi.
After the break Shabanie continued to trouble the visitors with the hard-running Artwell Nyoni a menace every time he was in possession.
His header, after a connecting a cross from Chitereki, hit the upright post in the 66th minute.
Rukanda then volleyed his effort against the inside of the crossbar and, with the home fans wanting a goal, Gweru referee Thomas Massa decided otherwise. On a day when the FC Platinum fans rallied behind Shabanie, the home side pushed for a winner and got it right at the end.
“It was a sweet victory. I am short of words “said an elated Jani
Masomere blamed his players for losing concentration in the last minute
“Shabanie played very well and it was a bad day in the office for us.
“The referee was superb and we are going back to the drawing board. I had a full squad but it was not our day “said Masomere
Shabanie Mine
R Mazingi,S Shoko,B Dimanji,W Ngonya,S Muchabaiwa,T Rukanda,T Mareya,J Chitereki,S Ndlovu(A Nyoni 60th ),L Chisunga,M Mageja
Masvingo
F Tizayi, , S Muchabaya,P Chandisaita, T Mapara, P Sinamayi,V Sinamayi ,P Zimunya,W Mukanga, J Zimbabe(E Dzumbunu 77th ), H Mavhundi(T Nyamadzawo 77th ), W Ndiweni.