Harare — Former champions Monomotapa continued with their resurgence when they overcame troubled Lengthens in a low-key Premiership derby clash at Rufaro yesterday.

Monoz, who parted ways with coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe at the start of the week, arrived at Rufaro in buoyant mood following their comeback 3-2 win over CAPS United at the same venue last Saturday.

Lengthens had also won their game against Shooting Stars at Dzivaresekwa with a late Denis Joronawo goal giving them a 1-0 win. Ironically, Joronawo was a villain yesterday when he conceded an own goal in the 35th minute that handed Monoz a half-time lead. Monoz then made the game safe with two second half strikes by defender Ocean Mushure and midfielder Daniel Kamunenga.

Yesterday's game, which was played before a virtually empty stadium, started on a low note with both teams finding it difficult to settle down. Until Joronawo beat his own goalkeeper Fidias Chifamba in a bid to clear Charles Chiutsa's header off a Kamunenga cross, the first half had been a big yawn.

Two minutes into the second half, the Happy People almost found an equaliser through Patrick Nhamo. Although the Lengthens striker's effort had beaten goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga, Tawanda Munyanduri was on guard to sweep away the danger. Lengthens found themselves further behind in the 64th minute when Mushure found the target.

Mushure ghosted in unmarked from the left to smash the ball home. After the goal, Monoz were the more composed side, knocking the ball around confidently as they created problems for the Lengthens defence. Monoz sealed their victory in the 71st minute through Kamunenga. Although he applauded his charges for the victory, Monoz coach Taurai Mangwiro was not happy with the way his team started the match.

"The first half was not the best of starts but we did fairly well. "The guys had the desire to win and I am glad they took the chances that came our way. "I am happy in terms of ball retention they did well, the only problem was that the guys seemed to have the tendency of rushing the pass.

"I believe we have laid a solid foundation and we should go into our next match with confidence," said Mangwiro. Returning Lengthens coach Jostein Mathuthu accepted defeat and attributed their loss to lack of fitness among the players but expressed hope that they will soon find their rhythm.

"We were okay but we gave away a lot of soft balls in defence, we didn't do enough defensively. "Last week, we had a different team all together, most of the senior players were not there and we did not have enough fitness and that also affected the mental side of our game," said Mathuthu.

Teams:

Monomotapa: T.Mafunga, T. Munyanduri, O. Mushure (V. Chitema 81 minutes), L. Zvasiya, L. Simango, T. Ngulube (B. Mapfumo 59 minutes), J. Mutambiranwa, T. Samanja, C. Chiutsa, T. Nyamandwe (O. Mukuradare 59 minutes), D. Kamunenga.

Lengthens: F. Chifamba, N. Mangisi, D. Joronawo, G. Moyo, P. Gubudu, N. Khanye, D. Kamanga (P. Makanje 71 minutes), M. Chipunza, P. Nhamo, J. (T. Muyendi 71 minutes), T. Tsvangirai (A Nyamiwa 52 minutes).