HARARE - Shabanie Mine edged Hwange in an Mbada Diamonds Cup first round match at Maglas Stadium yesterday to set up an exciting quarter-final clash against bitterest rivals FC Platinum.

Man-of-the-match Pervington Zimunya scored the all-important goal in the 38th minute with a beautiful curling shot.

Shabanie won a free kick just outside the box after Zimunya was fouled by Hwange defender David Boriwondo.

The former Masvingo United striker beautifully curled the free-kick past Chipangano goalkeeper Timothy Sibanda.

The set-piece was reminiscent of the winner that he scored against the same team in a league match at the same venue last Tuesday.

The Zvishavane-based asbestos miners won that league match 2-1.

Last year, Shabanie bowed out of the same competition in the first round when they lost 4-1 to Blue Rangers at Ascot Stadium.

This time around there was no repeat of the first round exit for the asbestos miners.

Yesterday, Shabanie started the match on a high and could have taken the lead in the 18th minute through top striker Nelson Maziwisa, who agonisingly shot wide with only Sibanda to beat.

Tarisai Rukanda created the chance when he made created space on the left flank before picking up Maziwisa with a precise cross.

A minute later Maziwisa was presented with an identical opportunity in a similar position by Zimunya.

Again, Maziwisa shot wide.

The hosts finally got it right when Zimunya beat Sibanda from a free kick in the 38th minute.

After the first half Hwange coach Tenant Chilumba made three changes in the second half trying to solidify his midfield.

The Zambian brought on Nkosana Siwela, Daniel Kamunenga and Allan Tavarwisa at different intervals hoping to find an equaliser.

However the changes failed to provide the remedy as the Shabanie defence marshalled by Blessed Mbavarira and skipper Rodney Mware stood firm.

After the match the Hwange coach Chilumba said: “We played well but unfortunately we failed to score. We are just going through a bad patch and I hope that we will get it right soon.”

His opposite number Luke Masomere was pleased with the result.

“I’m happy with the win considering that we bowed out in the first round last year. We are hoping that we will go all the way to the final.”