Billiat in losing debut at Colliery
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Yadah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
KHAMA Billiat’s high-profile return to the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League ended in defeat as Hwange hung on to a 1-0 win over Yadah in their season opener at the Colliery yesterday.
The crowd cheered on Billiat as he warmed up, underlining his impact on the domestic game that has been lacking big-name players for a while now.
Having been out of action for eight months, Billiat was only introduced in the 75th minute and could not conjure any magic to help the Miracle Boys salvage at least a point at one of the most difficult venues in the Premiership.
Hwange won all points courtesy of returning son and former FC Platinum player Gift Mbweti, who grabbed the all-important winner in the 17th minute.
A swift counter attack by the coalminers saw a Yadah defender making a poor clearance with the ball landing onto the path of Mbweti, who showed experience and composure to chip the ball past an outdrawn Yadah goalkeeper Marshall Takarinda.
The narrow lead kept Yadah in the game but even the introduction of big signing Billiat 15 minutes from time could not pull the game out of the fire for Yadah as the coalminers defended for dear life to the end.
To his credit however, Billiat almost grabbed the headlines but his effort crashed against the left upright to leave Hwange fans relieved.
The coalminers had a good first half and could have wrapped the match as a contest but they missed a glut of chances that came their way.
If it was not Hwange strikers missing chance after chance, it was Takarinda who was a stumbling block in the opening stanza which could have embarrassed Yadah with a rugby scoreline defeat.
Takarinda denied Marceline Mlilo thrice from point blank range with midfielder Solomon
Sithole also missing an easy chance in this period.
The visitors had a better second half, especially with the introduction of Vincent Sango for Munashe Chigwerewe on the hour mark as they camped in the Hwange half but the goal proved elusive.
Hwange new acquisitions of Mongameli Tshuma, Bhekani Sibanda, Prosper Mathe and Mbweti had good debut performances and complemented some equally good displays by veterans Shepard Gadzikwa, Canaan Nkomo and Sithole in the middle of the park.
Hwange assistant coach Obert Moyo praised the boys for a stellar performance.
“The boys did well and everything went according to plan. It is good to have such a result with some new young players in the mix,” said Moyo, who stood in for head coach Nation Dube who lost his voice due to barking instructions from the touchline
His opposite number Tinashe Ruzive accepted defeat but lauded his players for the fight.
“It was a game of two halves as they did better than us in the opening period but we played well in the last half and with more precision we could have got something from the game.
“On Billiat in the fold, I can say that he brings stability and experience in the team and he will bring in lots of positives going forward,” said Ruzive.
Teams
HWANGE: Wellington Muuya; Jofias Mumpande; Bhekani Sibanda; Kelly Shiyandindi; Lucas Sibanda; Solomon Sithole; Shepard Gadxikwa; Canaan Nkomo; Mongameli Tshuma ( Prosper Mathe 65rd min); Gift Mbweti ( Blessing Ngoma 65th minute); Marcelline Mlilo (Pritchard Mpelele 85th minute).
YADAH:
Marshall Takarinda; Prosper Kafelapanjila; King Nadolo ( Khama Billiat 75th minute); Ariel Makopa; Marlon Mushonga; Blessed Ndereki (Charles Moffat 75th minute); Jerry Chipangura; Takunda Vareta; Junior Zindoga (Clive Mandivei 46th minute); Munashe Chigwerewe; Lennox Mucheto