Mutare City Rovers        2
Harare City        2

MUTARE City Rovers failed to make the most of fellow relegation candidates Tsholotsho FC’S defeat on Saturday when they drew at home against Harare City.

Mutare City had to come from behind to settle for a two all stalemate against Harare in a Castle Lager Premiership match played at Sakubva on Saturday.

Agrippa Murimba scored two penalties to cancel a Grey Kufandada brace for Harare City.

Mutare City remain second from bottom with 26 points, the same as Tsholotsho but with an inferior goal difference.

The hosts were their own enemies when they failed to utilize numerous clear cut scoring opportunities that came their way from the first whistle up until the match ended.

Stephen ‘Dealer’ Sibanda was the main culprit.

With only 11 minutes into the match Sibanda got to the end of a beautiful Hibron Makukutu pass while unmarked in the box but somehow the undecided Sibanda unnecessarily held on to the ball for long
before losing possession.

Three minutes later Sibanda was at it again as he directed his header off target from close range.

However, Harare City took advantage of Mutare City Rover’s defenders’ lapse in concentration in the 15th minute when exciting Grey Kufandada headed home off Tatenda Tumba’s tantalising cross.

Five minutes later Kufandada was back to torment the opponents’ rear guard when went on an exciting solo run and tapped the ball home from close range to double the visitors lead.

Mutare City Rovers then found the target in the 41st minute through hard working Agrippa Murimba who scored from the spot after impressive referee Ruzive Ruzive had pointed to the spot when a Harare City defender had clearly handled in the box.

Ruzive, who was close to action and spot on throughout the encounter as he handled the match with unmatched aplomb, once again pointed to spot when goal bound man of the match Makukutu was hacked down by Harare City goalkeeper Tatenda Munditi in the 72nd minute.
Up stepped Murimba who made no mistake as hi hit the roof of the net.

Mutare City Rovers assistant coach Kenneth ‘Bokande’ Kachara conceded that his team missed a lot of scoring opportunities.

“We missed a lot of chances. Harare City goalkeeper was a busy man all afternoon. We are confident that we are going to survive relegation. We are now waiting for our last match against Ngezi
Platinum,” said Kachara.
Harare City Rovers gaffer Moses Chunga blamed the league break for his team’s below par performance.

“By now we should have finished the league. The two week break affected our rhythm and this is not also good for the teams that are fighting for the championship but at least the draw was fair result,”
said Chunga.

Teams:
Mutare City Rovers:  V Twaliki; B Mkwena; C Ngondonga; W Mapfumo; W Sithole; M Sako; A. Nyakabawo; H Makukutu; K Gurure; S Sibanda; AMurimba

Harare City Rovers: T Munditi; H Chapusha; T Chimwemwe; A Chivheya (R Chitiyo 46th minute); J James; G Kufandada; E Madhananga; D Mawere; S Muneka (W Manondo 46th minute); L Muyambo (J Chipangura 46th minute), T Tumba