Highlanders ………….0(0)
Shabanie Mine………0(1)
SHABANIE mine fc pulled a shocker in the 38th minute of the second half to beat Highlanders fc 1-0 at Barbourfields stadium yesterday afternoon.Nelson Mazivisa headed home the solitary goal of the match beating the diving Aerial Sibanda from close range.
By MILTON MASHASHA Sports Reporter in Byo, Zim.
An early scare as early as the 45th second of the match,Shabanie made their intentions known when Nelson Mazivisa’s volley hit the cross bar,bounced back into play with Aerial Sibanda a beaten man and Mazivisa thought the ball had crossed the line only for the referee to wave play on,lack of resources, this is where the goal line technogy come into effect because that incident happened in a glimpse of an eye,was that a goal or not.
From the resultant corner Collins Dhuwa had an opportunity to put Shabanie ahead but he failed to score from close range giving relief to the Bosso rear guard who were caught off guard.Shabanie Mine fc were all over Highlanders fc, attacking from right,left and centre with the former Tsholotsho speedy attacking midfielder Collins Dhuwa causing all sorts of problems along side Nelson Mazivisa,Farai Mupasiri and Eria Phiri whilst the pair of veteran William Mapfumo and Trevor Mavhunga were tight and solid in the back.Both teams played an open entertaining attacking football but Shabanie was the better team,compact in the midfield and dictating the proceedings.
The magic of the former Mutare City gaffer Taku Shariwa who is now the Shabanie technical manager has once again haunted Highlanders.In the 3rd minute Eric Mudzingwa’s shot went over the bar from Simon Munawa’s cross from the right flank.
Two minutes later the first yellow card was flashed on a Shabanie player after a crude tackle on Munawa.Prince Dube went for a kill in the 8th minute but his shot was blocked for a corner kick which was taken by Brian Banda but it was headed out to safety by Shabanie mine.In the 17th minute Rodrick Mutuma’s strike from the edge of the box was pushed for a corner by the exciting Samuel Mapfukidza in goals for the Chinda boys.
Rodrick Mutuma was at it again,raced towards the Shabanie goal tried to lay a pass to Prince Dube but it was easier for him to shoot than to pass and Shabanie mine survived,cleared their lines.In the 24th minute Farai Mupasiri hit the cross bar with Aerial Sibanda out of action only to thank the wood work for the save.Four minutes later Eria Phiri laid a beautiful pass to Mazivisa but the latter miscued his effort.
A swift counter attack a minute later that saw Prince Dube’s dangerous dipping, dropping shot tipped over the bar by Samuel Mapfukidza.On the other side Collins Dhuwa’s shot was blocked by Benson Phiri from outside the 18yard box.Rodrick Mutuma’s overhead kick shot from inside the 18 yard area went over the cross bar.A minute later Mutuma came face to face with the advancing Shabanie goalkeeper but he failed to control the bouncing ball and he wasted a clear cut chance.Ten minutes later a through ball was laid to Mutuma who outpaced two Shabanie mine defenders before firing a powerful grounder leaving Samuel Mapfukidza sprawling on the ground only to be ruled offside after his celebration to the goal,the assistant referee’s flag was up for an offside decision.The match went to halftime in a nil all scoreline.
In the resumption of the second half,the Shabanie mine gaffer Wilson Mtekede pulled out the skipper Eria Phiri and introduced the slippery forward Tinashe Mupumha.It was a seesaw affair with both teams having their share of scoring chances.The Shabanie coach made another substitution again in the 16 and 24th minute bringing in Wellington Taderera and Joe Nyabinde.The former Dynamos striker who exhibited some touches of brilliance turning Peter Muduhwa in and out was also substituted after a great performance.
Then it came a moment of madness in the 30th minute when the Highlanders gangly defensive linkman and skipper Eric Mudzingwa was shown a needless red card after a second bookable offence for quarrelling against the centre man something which is not expected from a seasoned and a player of his calibre more so from the captain.Erol Akbay made a change after the incident bringing in Tendai Ndlovu for Allen Gahadzikwa.In the 38th minute Shabanie Mine scored the solitary goal from Nelson Mazivisa’s header.
Mazivisa capitalized from a poor marking by Highlanders centre backs,Mazivisa met a cross from Lloyd Manyande,beat the two Bosso defenders on the air to nod the ball home beating the diving Highlanders keeper Sibanda to send a handful Shabanie supporters into a jovial mood.
A minute later Akbay pulled out Tendai Ngulube and in came the veteran striker Ralph Matema but nothing positive came out.Another red card was flashed a minute later again this time to a Shabanie player Lloyd Manyande after a second bookable offence for time wasting.Shabanie Mine held on to their lead with William Mapfumo,Trevor Mavhunga and Admire Dzumbunu outstanding.
Simon Munawa nearly got the equaliser in the 46th minute but his shot was blocked by the outstanding William “Munhumutema” Mapfuma with Samuel Mapfukidza covering the opposite side of the goal.Highlanders fc lost to a determined and organised Shabanie Mine who overpowered the home team in the middle of the park more so with the red card to Eric Mudzingwa adding woes to their rhythm and game plan.The Chinda boys collected their deservedly three points despatching the Bulawayo giants 1-0 at their home ground,Barbourfields stadium.
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