Mutare City in controversial win

Sport
Mutare City Rovers. . . . . . (0)2 Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1

Mutare City Rovers. . . . . . (0)2 Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

MUTARE City Rovers scored a controversial late winner against Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.

Rovers scored through Kudakwashe Gurure from the spot in the 87th before Elisha Chimhaka scored the contentious goal in the 89th minute, the visitors had opened their account in the 57th minute through the boot of substitute veteran striker Gilbert Zulu.

Both teams struggled to settle in the first half as they failed to create meaningful chances, with the first real chance for the visitors coming in the 28th minute through Andrew Phiri who failed to beat Rovers goalkeeper Victor Twaliki in a one-on-one situation.

Gurure had a chance to give his side a well-deserved lead 10 minutes later, but he shot wide with visitors’ defence in sixes and sevens.

The goal fans were waiting for finally came 12 minutes into the second half through a well struck shot from Zulu with his first touch after coming in for former Caps United star Pervington Zimunya.

With home fans and players frustrated referee Kudakwashe Majo pointed to the spot after Gurure was fouled inside the box by defender Phakamani Dube.

Gurure dusted himself to score the equaliser to send the home side into frenzy.

Two minutes later Gusha Bhora as Mutare City are affectionately known by their legions of fans scored a hotly contested goal that saw the match being stopped for eight minutes as Hwange players and technical staff protested the decision.

Agrippa Murimba fired a low shot that was fumbled by shot-stopper Future Sibanda, which saw Chimhaka rifled into an empty net.

When Sibanda fumbled the ball there was a Rovers striker who had made a push to the goalkeeper and this did not go down well with Hwange players.

There was deafening silence after the goal as Majo had to consult first assistant referee Waraidzo Mushonga who said the goal should stand.

Rovers head coach Taku Shariwa said the win was a relief to his side who are facing the dreaded chop.

“We have been drawing at home and today my players learned the hard way the last time Tsholotsho came from 3-0 behind and today my players showed character. I hope they are going to continue with the momentum in our next match against Caps United,’’ he said.

His counterpart Njekwa Mebelo was fuming after the match as he complained against match officials.

“You see what happened, you can put it in your own words, I have never commented on refereeing in my 15 years’ experience of coaching. From the very onset the referee and the first assistant made dubious decisions, that way football will not develop, this is why violence erupted in Bulawayo,” he said.