Gunners shoot to the top

Sports — By on November 16, 2009 12:54 am

By Grace Chingoma

Monomotapa………0 Gunners……..(0) 2

IN-FORM striker David Rediyoni fired a second-half brace to inspire Gunners to victory over outgoing champions Monomotapa and help Moses Chunga’s men shoot to the top of the CBZ Premiership standings.

Rediyoni was the toast of the Gunners victory at the same venue last Sunday when he struck the winner in their 1-0 triumph over Highway that kept the heat on Dynamos.

Yesterday, the dreadlocked forward scored his third goal in two matches to ensure glory for his side.

But what made yesterday’s win more significant is that it helped Gunners seize control of the title fight at a very delicate stage of the championship race.

There are two more rounds of matches to play including what has been billed as the championship decider between Gunners and Dynamos.

DeMbare fell to a shock 3-2 defeat by Kiglon across town at Rufaro to allow Gunners to open a two-point lead at the top.

The outcome of yesterday’s matches puts Gunners in a stronger position as pressure was also eased from them. What with rank outsiders CAPS United also falling 2-1 away to Bantu Rovers at Barbourfields?

Rediyoni appears to have taken over the mantle of leading the Gunners charge from Norman Maroto and yesterday he obliged to fine set-ups from Warriors midfielder Ramson Zhuwawo to find the target inside a seven-minute blitz.

He found his first of the day and Gunners opener in the 51st minute before returning to trouble the champions again in the 58th minute.

Monoz finished the last six minutes with 10 men following the expulsion of big defender Luckmore Simango.

In setting up Rediyoni for his first goal, Zhuwawo worked his way past a number of Monoz defenders and layed the ball onto the path of the unmarked striker to poke the ball home.

The impressive Zhuwawo then received the ball just inside the Monoz half, and sent Rediyoni clear on goal, with the latter obliging with a shot that gave Godfrey Mangove no chance.

Gunners could have made it 3-0 had they not missed a penalty in the 49th minute.

Ironically it was their top marksman Maroto whose scoring form appears to have deserted him who missed the spot kick when blazing his effort over the bar.

Simango was given his marching orders in the 84th minute after a crude tackle on Zhuwawo who was a marvel the whole afternoon covering every blade on the pitch.

The champions had dominated in the first half and could have at least scored a goal.

But Monoz who are not yet safe from the relegation puzzle were punished as Gunners came back a changed side in the second half

In the 19th minute Daniel Kamunenga left his marker for dead, came face to face with Gunners goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube but blasted his effort over the bar when it appeared easier to score.

After half an hour Charles Chiutsa’s header just went over as players struggled for rhythm in a muddy Gwanzura following the rains that lashed Highfield suburb yesterday.

Gunners to their credit absorbed the Monoz first half pressure and came back a rejuvenated side after the breather.

Four minutes into the second period Gunners were awarded a penalty by referee Jacob Kuuya and barely five minutes on the pitch were given a penalty but Maroto could not do justice to it.

Then came the Rediyoni show and the Gunners fans who bareved the rains were soon in song in dance.

“It is nice to win again and relieve some of the so-called pressure. We are comfortable with what we have done in our home and today we have won again and as we have always said we will not be bothered by what our neighbours (Dynamos) eat at Rufaro whether its beef or vegetables we will have our usual matemba (dried fish),” said Chunga.

Teams:

Monomotapa: G. Mangove, T. Kumbuyani, L. Mdhluli, L. Simango, A. Chimusaru, T. Samanja, A. Nhongo, D. Kamunenga, M. Mungombe (C. Semakweri 61st minute), C. Chiutsa, J. Mutambiranwa (T. Gwata 76th minute).

Gunners: T. Dube, T. Mtisi, A. Qadr, R. Khola, T. Malunga, A. Chaka, R. Zhuwawo, T. Mangezi (C. Mukuruva 80th minute), D. Rediyoni, M. Moyo (E. Amisi 45th minute), N. Maroto (W. Katsande 88th minute).

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