Harare City… (2) 3 How Mine … 0
BY MICHAEL MADYIRA
Francesco Zekumbawire grabbed a brace to help Harare City continue surging to Premier Soccer League (PSL) safety following yesterday’s win over visiting How Mine at Rufaro.
Zekumbawire scored in either half with William Manondo also on target as City moved two places up to eighth spot.
For City coach Masimba Dinyero, it was their fourth win in the past five games, with the other match being a draw.
“It is good we are picking up points and we hope to continue like this. The boys are playing according to instructions and I think that is what is helping us do well. We managed to dominate How Mine and score the chances that came our way,” said Dinyero.
It was How Mine’s 10th straight match without tasting victory but they remained on position six.
The gold miners’ caretaker coach Sheunesu Chaka had issues with the PSL for cramming fixtures as well as informing them late that defender Gilbert Banda was suspended.
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“We were told at the last minute that Gilbert Banda was ineligible to play due to a suspension. We had to temper around with our defence and Brighton Dube failed to cope at the central defensive position. I also think fatigue caught up with us after playing a number of games in a short space of time,” said Chaka.
Zekumbawire hinted that the afternoon was going to belong to him when his third minute effort was deflected just off target.
He then struck six minutes into the match after shrugging off stiff challenge from Nyasha Mukumbi and Dube to slot past How Mine goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.
The visitors had a quick response to the goal with Kuda Musharu volleying just wide a Godfrey Nguwodzawo cross.
City were making beautiful build-ups and from one of them involving Benson Maglasi and Martin Vengesai, Manondo shot at acute angle past Bernard midway through the first half for the hosts’ second.
Vengesai failed to connect into an empty net a Zekumbawire low cross 12 minutes after the restart.
But on the hour mark, Zekumbawire completed his double by clinically beating Bernard after being released by Ray Uchena.
How Mine did not give much to suggest they were looking for a comeback although Edmore Muzanenhamo had his freekick crash against the cross bar with 13 minutes to go.
