The Sunday Mail
Oscar Rusenga in CHIREDZI
Chiredzi F.C……………………(0)1
Shabanie Mine F.C………….(0)0
CHIREDZI FC put up one of the best performances for this season, despite ending the match a man short as they dispatched visiting Shabanie Mine at Chishamiso here yesterday.
Tatenda Kanyemba’s second half goal was enough to hand Chiredzi maximum points in a match that they could have easily won by a wider margin.
Kicking off 20 minutes late due to the absence of police details, both teams started cautiously.
Shabanie Mine midfielder Wellington Kamudyariwa was the first to try and leapfrog his former team’s defence but was fouled by Durban Bakali just outside the box to earn the visitors their first chance to test Chiredzi goal minder Simon Kafitire.
However, Godfrey Murwira skied his effort from the resultant free kick over the bar in the 7th minute.
Shabanie had another opportunity to open the floodgates but the dreadlocked Xolani Ncube shot straight at the keeper after he was brilliantly set up by Allan Tavarwisa in the 14th minute.
Chiredzi had their first chance at goal two minutes later but Shingirai Tsuro’s thunderbolt from 30 yards narrowly missed target.
On 33 minutes Kanyemba’s goal bound effort appeared to be handled inside the box but referee Brighton Chimene ignored the hosts’ appeal for a penalty and waved play much to the dismay of the Chiredzi technical bench.
The hosts started the second period more determined with Tawanda Muyendi and Tawanda Mpungu combining well to form a solid midfield partnership that gave the oppositeion a torrid time.
The latter thought he had scored when he beat Victor Twaliki with a low shot only to see his effort cleared off the line by Zvenyika Makonese in the 48th minute.
Muyendi also watched in disbelief when his acrobatic effort was tipped over the bar for a corner kick by the impressive Twaliki two minutes later.
The home side were reduced to ten men on the hour mark after Tinashe Utete was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The winner came eight minutes later when Muyendi switched the ball to Msimbu who controlled well and shot at Twaliki.
The Shabanie Mine goalie parried the ball into the path of Kanyemba who did not make a mistake.
Chiredzi coach Gishon Ntini was happy with his charges’ workaholic show.
“The team played well though I have a feeling that we could have scored more. We are playing good football and we are still in contention for everything on offer,” Ntini claimed.
Shabanie coach Jairos Tapera was naturally disappointed.
“I think we played well, we only failed to score while on the other hand they converted the only chance they got. They played good football and deserved to win,” he said.
