The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Harare City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3
AS Adema . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
RAPHAEL MANUVIRE scored a beautiful brace on his Harare City debut as the Sunshine Boys laboured to a Caf Confederations Cup preliminary round, first leg win at Rufaro yesterday.
Another City new boy Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo was also on target for Taurai Mangwiro’s men who will now carry a slender lead into the return leg thanks to their wastefulness and poor defending.
The home side fluffed five golden chances inside the first 10 minutes, with Francesco Zekumbawire the main culprit, and had to wait for 38 minutes before celebrating their debut goal in continental football.
The historic goal came from Chitiyo who fired home from inside the box after being set up perfectly by William Manondo.
City were 2-0 up two minutes later, Manuvire roasting his marker before packing a powerful shot that went straight through the legs of Chretien Andriamifeny, the AS Adema goalkeeper.
Chitiyo had a goal disallowed for offside by Angolan referee Romualdo Do Rosario, a minute before the breather.
City went for the break 2-0 up.
However, the script was to change early in the second half as a spirited AS Adema pulled one back on 46 minutes courtesy of a flashing header by striker Angelo Andrianantenaina.
AS Adema, who found an unlikely 12th man in the form of predominantly Dynamos fans seated on the Vietnam Stand, stunned City in the 50th minute when Voavy Kassah converted from the spot after Blessing Moyo had tripped Soja Razafimarolany inside the box.
From then the visitors played with more gusto and thought they had bagged a vital away draw before Manuvire conjured up pure magic on 88 minutes.
The former ZPC Kariba creative midfielder fired home a screamer, from just outside the box to give his side a slender lead going into the second leg set for February 28.
Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro heaved a huge sigh of relief after the final whistle.
“Raphy (Manuvire) was there when I needed him most, Chitiyo also did well. Yes, they (AS Adema) scored two crucial away goals but I still feel the 3-2 victory is a good result.
“But it could have been better, we failed to convert glorious chances that came our way, the defenders also went to sleep at crucial moments and we got punished,” said Mangwiro.
Two goal hero Manuvire said he saw the winning goal coming, even as the clock ticked towards the 90th minute.
“I was looking for it (the goal), I had a feeling we would score. Experience has taught me that anything can happen in the dying stages of a game and that is why I tried from afar,” he said.
AS Adema believe they can turn the tables in Antananarivo.
“We are satisfied with the result; I am confident we will win the second leg back home and progress. But I must say I was a bit surprised by the way Harare City play, they have some good players…they are a very impressive side,” said AS Adema coach Ruphin Menakeiy.
The three-time Malagasy champions have failed to progress beyond the preliminary stage on three occasions in four attempts but they look like a side that could trouble Harare City in the second leg.
They are not a very formidable side though with their claim to fame being recognition by The Guinness Book of Records as the world record holder for the highest winning margin in the history of football.
AS Adema beat SO l’Emyrne 149-0 in a league match played on October 31, 2002.
SO l’Emyrne scored 149 own goals in protest against a referee’s decision.
Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, B. Moyo (M. Diro 56), A. Chiveya, E. Madhanaga, R. Chitiyo, J. Jam, R. Manuvire, K. Kumwala, F. Zekumbawire (T. Ruzvidzo 73), W. Manondo (M. Vengesayi 56), T. Ndlovu.
AS Adema: C. Andriamifeny, J. Bourahim, S. Razafimarolany, B. Ramahaison, F. Randriamisaina, V. Kassah, V. Randrianandraina (A. Ramananandro 75), . Andrianantenaina, (R. Andrianambinina 68). Rafelambolasoa, F. Rajaoniasy, A. Randrianiana
