Hwange, the only Premier league club campaigning in Matabeleland North province for the past 19 years, fell 1-3 to merciless league runners-up, Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium, a brace by Obadiah Tarumbwa (46th and 48th minutes) and another effort from Eric Mudzingwa (24th) sealing their fate.
The coalminers got their last goal of the Premiership from their captain, Gilbert Zulu, who converted a penalty in the 42nd minute, after his Bosso counterpart had handled inside the box.
Former Hwange great, Nation Dube, who is now their assistant coach, still waved a defiant fist in the face of tragedy, when he vowed that the team would bounce back into the premiership in 2009.
“We will only spend a season in Division One. Come 2009 and a better Hwange will be back in the PSL. This is not the end but just the beginning for the team,” said Dube, whose fate and that of under-fire head coach, Tavaka Gumbo now rests in the hands of the club’s management.
In Harare, Monomotapa’s Charles Chiutsa, Daniel Zokoto and Talent Gwaze combined to drown Black Rhinos in the murky waters of relegation with a single goal each, in a game which saw former warriors midfielder and Rhinos skipper, Lazarus Muhoni head the side’s last goal in the premiership.
Rhinos’s defeat saved Eastern Lions, themselves 1 -3 losers to former champions Caps United. Lions survived due to a superior goal difference, while a point won would have saved Rhinos.
Mwana Africa, who had a fairytale run in the African Confederations Cup, where they were Zimbabwe’s representatives, a life-saving victory also failed to materialise, as they were beaten 1-2 by Motor Action.
The Bindura-based side, whose FA Cup victory in their maiden season last year saw Zanu (PF) bigwigs want to be identified with the club, saw the painful reality of life in the dog-eat-dog premiership, when they were abandoned in the penultimate stage to suffer the defeat that might have also sealed the fate of the club, now likely to be auctioned by its sponsors.
On Saturday, champions Dynamos celebrated in style, when they beat Lancashire Steel 2-0 before they were presented with the championship trophy.
Other results; Saturday – Shooting Stars 0-0 Lengthens, Njube Sundowns 4-3 Chapungu
Sunday – Highlanders 3-1 Hwange, Masvingo 1-3 CAPS FC, CAPS United 3-1 Eastern Lions, Monomotapa 3-1 Black Rhinos, Mwana Africa 1-2 Motor Action.
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News