The Sunday Mail
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herentals………………………..2
Hwange…………………………..2
HERENTALS ended Hwange’s mini-resurgence with a polished performance to take a vital point from the coal miners in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Shepherd Gadzikwa, in the 14th minute, and Nomore Chinyerere on the hour, scored for Hwange; while Blessing Maunganidze struck in the 33rd minute and an own goal by Ted Ncube’s after 55 minutes ensured a share of spoils.
Coming into this match, Hwange were on the rise after they had knitted two wins on the bounce to cancel the seven-match winless streak they had endured prior to two important wins over Bulawayo Chiefs and Chicken Inn.
They started from where they left against Chicken Inn, taking an early lead inside the opening 14 minutes when Gadzikwa slid to push in Kasimero Chimbadzwa’s cross for the opener.
Twelve minutes before the breather, the students levelled the scoreboard when Maunganidze headed home Innocent Benza’s cross.
Ten minutes after resumption, Herentals surged ahead when Ncube turned Peter Chota’s cross into his own net.
But their lead was short-lived as Chinyerere fired home a powerful drive after some fine work inside the box.
At the end of the match, both coaches felt they should have won this one, but blamed their respective defences for not coming to the party.
“We played very well but some of the goals we are conceding are worrisome. That is an area we need to work on, but I am happy with the way the team is playing,” said Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva. “A draw away from home is not a bad result. But if you are playing away and you score first, you need to defend that goal, that is what I was telling the boys. We should have won this one, otherwise we played very well on the road,” said Hwange gaffer Nation Dube.
Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba and Triangle were locked in a 0-0 stalemate at Nyamhunga in Kariba
Teams:
Herentals: P Tafiremutsa, W Kapumha (T Chitukutuku 83rd min), C Mavhurume, B Majarira, W Chimbetu, R Hachiro (R Chishaya 78th min), I Benza (P Chama 89th min), K Bingala, B Maunganidze, P Chota, B Majarira
Hwange: T Mvula, A Chuma, N Chinyerere, G Ndlovu, L Sibanda, F Chindungwe, T Ncube, S Gadzikwa, E Gwitima, K Chimbadzwa (G Zulu 84th min), N Gama (D Maphosa 74th min)
