By Paul Mundandi
Shabanie Mine ………………………………………….. (1) 1
Chicken Inn ………………………………………………. (1) 2
SHABANIE Mine’s woes continued yesterday when the asbestos miners once again found the going tough in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Maglas yesterday.
The hosts who fell 2-0 to Black Mambas last Wednesday were yesterday left to rue some missed chances as they allowed 10-man Chicken Inn to come from behind to snatch a victory in a thrilling encounter.
Pervington Zimunya had put Shabanie in the lead in the ninth minute before Premiership leading scorer Tendai Ndoro equalised in the 16th minute. Canaan Nkomo then ensured it was Chicken Inn who ran out with full points when he got the winner after 66 minutes.
The miners were the first to settle when former Masvingo United midfielder Zimunya converted a penalty sending impressive Njabulo Nyoni the wrong way. Tarisai Rukanda got the better of Felix Chindungwe and rounded goalkeeper Nyoni in the box who then brought the menacing striker down.
Kwekwe referee Munyaradzi Majoni pointed to the spot and flashed a yellow card to the goalminder.
Rukanda then had another chance in the 13th minute when he dribbled past Zephaniah Ngodzo but his powerful shot hit the upright post with Nyoni at the wrong side of the action and the rebound was cleared by the alert Gamecocks defence.
After the miss the hosts were punished for sleeping on duty.
Pardon Marima who missed the game against Black Mambas last week allowed Ndoro to control the ball outside the box and he then released a screamer that beat goalkeeper Victor Twaliki in 16th minute.
The miners were then dealt a major blow when Tafadzwa Mombeshora who was directing operations in midfield clashed with Ngodzo and had to be rushed to the hospital as blood was gushing from his cheek.
Shabanie’s world seemed to crumble after Mombeshora left the pitch as his replacement Blessed Mbavarira was jittery while Zimunya, William Ngonya and Masocha failed to control and pass easy balls making life difficult for the miners who badly wanted a win to keep away from relegation zone.
After the breather hard running Masocha went past Brian Mbiriri on the right and fed Rukanda but his weak shot at goal was easily dealt with Nyoni in the 50th minute. Four minutes later Shabanie were again on the offensive but Fungai Chirinda’s effort from a Masocha cross missed the target with inches.
It was a tale of missed chances as Zimunya who was too stylish again directed his effort wide in the 59th minute when he was fed by Fungai Chirinda on the edge of the box. Seven minutes later Gamecocks striker Canaan Nkomo had a demonstration for the asbestos miners as he showed them how goals are scored.
The player received a simple ball in the box and released a right footer that goalkeeper Twaliki only managed to retrieve from the ball back of the nets. Shabanie then got another glorious chance three minutes after Chicken Inn goal but Valentine Ndaba bloodied shot was saved by Nyoni.
Moments after the miners’ effort Thabani Goredema saw red when he received his marching orders for a second bookable offence but it was late for Shabanie to stage a comeback.
Luke Masomere tried to introduce defender Smart Muchabayiwa to add punch upfront but it was too late as the damage had already been done by the visitors who meant business.
Just like the case with Monomotapa and Motor Action, Shabanie Mine and Chicken Inn are going to clash again in four days time at Mandava in the BancABC quarter-final which will be played on Friday.
Shabanie will then visit the City of Kings for the reverse league fixture Chicken Inn at Luveve. Chicken Inn coach Mandla Mpofu quipped that he felt honoured to beat his opponent Masomere.
“I feel honoured to beat the Doctor of football. It was difficult to come and get three points from Maglas but we had prepared for them. We kept on fight after conceding the first goal and we will keep on focused as our target is finishing on the top,’’ said Mpofu.
Masomere conceded defeat.
“We played a good team and we got punished for missing a number of clear cut chances. I do not have strikers following the injury of Farai (Mususunye) but I am going to do my best with what is at my disposal,” Masomere said. The Herald
