Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
Bayelsa United . . . . . . (0) 1
ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the Orange CAF Confederation Cup, How Mine, did themselves a disservice when they toiled to victory over Nigerian side Bayelsa United in a second round, first leg meeting at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
How Mine wasted numerous goal-scoring opportunities but eventually triumphed through second half goals from Morris Kadzola and a penalty converted by veteran Menard Mupera.
This was after the visitors had taken the lead through Bernard Okorowanta early into the second half. The Nigerians should be the more content of the two teams going into the second leg over the weekend in Nigeria as the away goal puts them at an advantage.
It was Bayelsa who showed attacking intent soon after kick-off. The home side’s captain, Gilbert Banda, did well to block on the line a goal-bound effort from Okorowanta while at the other end, Mupera blazed over the bar with a first-time powerful shot three minutes into the match.
Okorowanta saw his curling effort go over the bar with six minutes gone.
Then How Mine striker Kudakwashe Musharu wasted a chance to score after a fine cross from Mupera, while a wasteful James Chitereki missed a fine opportunity to put How Mine ahead when he failed to get to the end of a perfect delivery into the box from Kadzola.
Bayelsa opened the scoring a minute into the second half when Okorowanta punished a languid How Mine defence to slam the ball into the back of the net for the Nigerians’ valuable away goal.
How Mine finally equalised on the hour mark with Moyo providing the pass for Kadzola who thumped the ball into the net.
The winner finally came for Chikurupati during the referee’s optional time when Kadzola was brought down in the box by Adegoke Mutiu.
Referee Mensur Maeruf from Eritrea pointed to the spot before showing the culprit a yellow card.
Mupera made sure of his side’s win when he tucked the ball under a diving Gambo, who unsuccessfully went the right way. How Mine coach Philani Ncube lamented the missed opportunities by his players but was confident of making it through to the next round of the competition which is the play-off for the group stages.
Teams
How Mine: Mazarura, Banda, Kadzola, B.Dube, Mukumbi, Mupera, X.Moyo, Muzanenhamo (Sithole, 71 mins), Chitereki (Mandiranga 51, mins), Masuku, Musharu.
Bayelsa United: Gambo, Tswaya, Mutia, Okechukwu, Salomon, Ikechukwu, Frimpong, Okorowanta, Ebimobowei (Uche, 57 mins), Oladapo (Kokoriko, 97 mins), Ovakpor (Chingozie, 67 mins) The Sunday Mail
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