ZVISHAVANE - Wasteful Shabanie Mine needed a Victor Twaliki first half strike to beat Bantu Rovers 1-0 in a Castle Premiership match at Maglas Stadium on Wednesday.
Shabanie could have won by a wider margin but wasted a number of chances with twin strikers Allen Tavarwisa and Carlos Messi taking turns to miss.
Shabanie surged ahead in the 10th minute after goalkeeper Twaliki sent his opposite number Brighton Chipula in goals for Bantu Rovers the wrong way after Sizalobuhle Dube had handled a cross from Godknows Murwira.
Bantu pressed hard for an equaliser but lacked the killer punch with strikers Obediah Tarumbwa and Dube off colour all afternoon.
Shabanie came back into the second half with a more attacking instinct and could have increased the lead in the 50th minute when Louis Matawu broke loose on the left flank but his low shot was punched for a corner by Chipula.
Three minutes later Tavarwisa was set through by Talbot Mthombeni in a counter attack but the former Monomotapa striker failed to beat Chipula on one on one situation.
Dube could have redeemed himself in the 57th minute when his powerful header off a Bongani Sikwila cross cannoned off the cross bar.
After the match, Shabanie coach John Phiri was pleased with the win despite wasting a number of chances.
“The good thing is that we are creating chances even though we failed to score more goals. We are going to work on our finishing,” said Phiri.
Mandla Mpofu, the Bantu Rovers assistant coach, did not despair in defeat as he paid credit to Shabanie for showing more resolve to win.
“Shabanie played like they wanted to win creating chances. But I also give credit to my youngsters for playing and we noted some positives," said Mpofu.