HARARE - Black Mambas and Harare City shared the spoils in a Castle Lager Premiership match of two halves yesterday.

There was controversy before the start of the match after Mambas defender Sam Mutenheri was red- carded by fourth official Ruzive Ruzive for an altercation with City players during warm-up.

Mutenheri was replaced in the starting lineup by George Chikweva.

After the kickoff Mambas took control of the first half and deservedly got the opening goal in the 33rd minute through winger Proud Khumalo.

Khumalo beat City goal keeper Nomore John with a half volley from the edge of the box after getting to the end of a flick-on by last Chibwiro.

The police side however, switched off in the second half allowing City to equalise immediately after the break through Raphael Manuwire on 46 minutes.

Manuwire headed home from close range after Nathan Ziwini’s looping cross had beaten Mambas goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.

The Sunshine Boys went on to create a number of chances to win the match but failed to convert in front of goal.

After the draw, City remain in 10th place on the log with 25 points from 20 matches while Mambas are below them in 11th place on 22 points.

City coach Bigboy Mawiwi was disappointed by his players’ failure to wrap up the three points when they appeared to be in the ascendency in the second half.

“Going into this game we were very positive that we were going to win, but complacency crept in,” bemoaned Mawiwi.

“The attitude was wrong and at halftime when we were a goal down, I told the youngsters that we should go back and look for a goal as early as possiblea nd they did that.

“We created some chances in the last 10 minutes but we lacked the cutting edge.”

Black Mambas assistant coach Martin Bonongwe said: “At the end of the day we are quite satisfied with the point gained because it was a tough match. Had we taken our chances we could have won the match.”