Harare CITY . . . . . . . . . . (2)2 How MINE . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)2
HARARE City failed to give themselves a huge morale boaster ahead of next Saturday’s Chibuku Super Cup final against Dynammos after stuttering to a two-all draw against visiting How Mine in a game where they could have come out with a bagful of goals.
BY Michael Kariati
The Harare City fathers outmanouvred their Bulawayo visitors, but failed to capitalise on their dominance at Rufaro Stadium. They missed too many chances, including three one-on-one situations with goalkeeper Munyaradzi Diya when they were leading 2-1.
Ironically, Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro chose to blame the referee Josiah Masimira instead of his own strikers, who took turns to miss chance after chance.
“I dont know whether this is what we call match officiating, but I am not happy at all with what happened today,” said Mangwiro. “I hope the same won’t happen on Saturday.”
However, considering their display of an attractive short passing game and the strong finishing they produced in the two goals they got, it would be foolish to write them off in the Chibuku Super Cup final.
Goals from William Manhondo and Kudakwashe Kumwala for Harare City and from Kuda Musharu and Nyasha Mukumbi for How Mine saw the two teams share the spoils in a game that could best be described as entertaining.
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The one point garnered saw Harare City miss out on the chance to move to fourth position as they remain on sixth place with 37 points after 26 games, the same as fifth-placed CAPS United and one behind fourth-placed Triangle, who are inactive this weekend.
On the other hand, How Mine supporters are beginning to pay close attention to what had started off as a good season, but is turning into a major disappointment as they have not yet escaped the troubles of relegation.
The miners are in ninth position on 33 points, just behind Chapungu and Hwange, who are on 35 points and need to improve on their results if they want to avoid sinking down the perking order where four teams will drop to the unfashionable world of division one football next season.
The story cannot be complete without mentioning that How Mine produced what is probably the fastest goal in Zimbabwean football history, and one of the fastest in the world when Musharu scored straight from kick off.
When Masimira ordered play to begin, Harare City players were busy trying to find where to stand and goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupanedengu appeared to be in prayer when Musharu’s effort sailed past the goalkeeper and into the net.
With that, How Mine were in the driving seat, but not for too long.
Less than 1 000 people were in the stadium and the shouting from the pitch could be heard from the stands. Harare City turn their attention this week to the Chibuku Super Cup final.
