The Zvishavane Asbestos miners, Shabani Mine survived relegation on the last day of the league when they comfortably beat Yadah stars by 2-0 at Maglas stadium at the weekend. The miners needed a draw in their final tie to avoid the chop but chose to be more elaborate by collecting maximum points.

Takesure Chiragwi the Shabani coach was over the moon with the result which propelled them further away from the drop zone to position 12 on the league table. The coach was under pressure to guide the team to safety and avoid relegation. Since Shabani’s first promotion into the premier league in 2001 the club has never got relegated the same year they gained promotion hence the pressure on Chiragwi not to undo the history. Prior to the Yadah tie the miners were on position 13 with 39 points three more than Bulawayo city the team which was occupying the last relegation slot. With the win over Yadah the miners dislodged the latter from position 12.

The elated Chiragwi congratulated his boys for the job well done.
“What was important for us to do was to get maximum points of which we did. We are happy as we have survived relegation. I don’t have many words to say but to congratulate the boys for the job well done. They deserve to survive because they did everything under difficult circumstances and everyone in the technical team is very happy even the supporters are cock-a-hoop “, said the elated coach.

Shabani gave a spirited fight in the last five games drawing twice and winning thrice. They drew 1-1 against Triangle and Black Rhinos respectively, while beating Hwange 1-0, How Mine 3-2 and Yadah 2-0 thus writing an extraordinary survival script.