HARARE - A visibly shaken Bigboy Mawiwi, found it hard to string a sentence in his post-match interview as it dawned on him that his Harare City suffered their fifth consecutive loss on the trot to Buffaloes on Wednesday.
Mawiwi tried hard to put a brave face following the 1-0 defeat saying: “ It’s a lean phase that we are going through, I am doing my level best to motivate and psych them, even their body language tell they are committed. I am very positive results will come.”
The Sunshine Boys coach blamed off-field issues contributing to his team’s losses which he refused to divulge.
“I cannot reveal much but it is an issue that is outside the field of play but I cannot say what it is right now. Pressure will always be there whether you are at the bottom or on top of the log, so am not worried. We are now looking forward to fight in our next match against FC Platinum,” he said.
His Buffaloes counterpart Luke Masomere was excited by collecting three points in his second visit to the capital.
The army side held CAPS United to a goalless draw a fortnight ago.
“I am happy with the result, we were looking for draw as you saw our approach today (yesterday) but fortunately we came out winners because the doctor of football had other ideas. We are not getting over excited, as we are now looking forward to our next game,” said Masomere.
The Sunshine Boys were the better side for the better part of the match, creating a number of half chances which they failed to utilize.
City wasted a number of chances that came their way as Martin Vengesai shot weakly at Buffaloes keeper Blessing Mwandimutsira in the sixth minute after being teed up by Mheli Sibanda.
Mwandimutsira would be called to the rescue of the army side moments later as he tipped over James Jam’s long range shot.
Former Shabanie midfielder Tafadzwa Mombeshora broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, when his speculative long range shot comically beat City goalkeeper Muzondiwa Gonese.
The goal seemed to awaken the army-side into life as they began pass the ball around in the middle of the park with confidence, as they went to the break leading
Mawiwi introduced Talent Chawapuwa for Phenias Bhamusi and pulled former FC Platinum midfielder Mhleli Sibanda for Agrippa Murimba,in the second half and they didn’t disappoint either as they added the much needed impetus to the City attacking line.
The Mutare-based soldiers managed to contain the pressure City was exerting on them, as they let the Harare side come at them.
City continued to raid the Buffaloes half in search of an equalizer. William Manondo watched in agony as his goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Buffaloes defender Moses Gutu deep in injury time.
Teams
Harare City: Muzondowa Gonese, Munyaradzi Diro Nyenye, Chiworeso Tongai, Kutyauripo David, Nyamutsaka Witness, Jam James, William Manondo, Mheli Sibanda(Agrippa Murimba, 55m), Martin Vengesai (Misheck Mburayi, 62m), Phenias Bhamusi (Talent Chawapuwa, 49m).
Buffaloes: Blessing Mwandimutsira, Saimon Choenda, Moses Gutu, Prosper Matizanadzo, Tafadzwa Mombeshora, Phiip Chandisaita, Frankson Bushiri, Jefrey Takunda, Jacob Muzokomba, Roy Mwenga, (Elton Dzumbunu, 84m), Admire Dzumbunu (Malvern Fenyeka, 71m).