Hwange in last gasp win

Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1 Mushowani Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 HWANGE finally remembered how to win a football game when they prevailed over a stubborn Mushowani Stars at the Colliery yesterday afternoon in a Castle Lager Premiership match which was a must win for both sides who are staring relegation in the face with six games left.

A 90th minute bullet of a free-kick from the edge of the box by enterprising Hwange left back Nomore Chinyerere was met with wild celebrations from the Hwange bench and the terraces as Chipangano had gone for a lengthy 13 games without a win in a spell which had five defeats and eight draws.

The home side had to achieve the important result the hard way at the death but in essence they could have gone to the breather having raced out of sight had they not missed an avalanche of chances they created.

Man of the match Chinyerere had the first chance at goal with a cracking free-kick in the 12th minute which found an in-form Mushowani goalkeeper Admire Masuku alert in between the sticks.

Shepherd Gadzikwa was to be denied on the hour mark by Masuku after he ghosted in from the blind side to direct home a flashing header which was smothered by the goalminder.

Hwange goalkeeper Taimon Mvula had prevented his side from falling behind in the 35th minute with a heroic right foot save to deny striker Joseph Tulani from a one on one situation before Gerald Ndlovu and Dingani Maphosa fluffed two gilt-edged chances on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was a pulsating affair with the match seemingly destined for a share of spoils before Chinyerere’s moment of brilliance at the end to give Hwange head coach Nation Dube some sleep yesterday.

“It is an important win by the team in the fight against relegation. We will fight hard to maintain the winning formula so that we survive.” said Dube.

His opposite number Newman Mashipe conceded defeat.

“It is painful to lose in such a manner especially after the performance by the team in such heat. We will work on our mistakes and ensure we avoid relegation.”

Bulawayo based-referee Allen Basvi had a firm grip on the game.