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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
Bantu Rovers 0-0 ZPC Kariba
BANTU Rovers failed to end ZPC Kariba’s unbeaten run as both teams played to a goalless draw in a premiership match at Luveve Stadium yesterday. Despite 20 efforts at goal and dominating play, Tshintsha Guluva could not break the power utility men’s rearguard who recorded their seventh draw of the season.
Bantu Rovers assistant coach Mandla Mpofu was not happy with his side’s wasted chances in a match they were so desperate to win.
“Twenty attempts and no goals is really a cause for concern but at least a point is better than nothing. The season is still young and there is therefore room to improve,” he said.
Mpofu praised his young charges who are still adjusting to the championship challenges and tipped them to come good in the second half of the season. “We have young stars that are still learning and adjusting in the league, the idea was to go forward as much as possible but we lacked the last touch. We will go back and try to rectify that and hope they will adjust soon,” said Mpofu.
The unbeaten record is supposed to be what every coach looks forward to but not ZPC coach Saul Chaminuka.
“Too many draws are now a cause for concern, we have lost 14 points which is as good as four defeats,” he said.
Chaminuka was not happy with his front line which failed to punish Bantu Rovers every time they caught them on the break.
“We lacked in the last third, it was either wrong pass or wrong decision, we are not convincing every time we venture forward, we will work on that as it is something we have been practising since the off-season,” said Chaminuka.
Bantu Rovers gave ZPC a hostile environment as they promised before the encounter.
The power utility men were on the back foot for the better part of the game with Bantu piling pressure from the onset.
Young Bukhosi Sibanda had a chance to give Tshintsha Guluva the lead in the 14th minute after Tafadzwa Kutinyu had missed a cross for Obadiah Tarumbwa.
In the 26th minute Fortune Ncube had a chance but his weak shot went straight to the hands of goalkeeper Tendai Hove.
Chaminuka introduced Artwell Nyamiwa for Trevor Chikede in the 46th minute to try and stabilise the Bantu Rovers midfield which worked for a while.
In the 64th minute Bantu rued one of their best chances when Kutinyu missed in the box after being played on by Tarumbwa.
Limited Chikafa had a chance in the 76th minute to steal the lead for the visitors but was denied by impressive Takunda Mutanga who was solid between the posts for Bantu Rovers.
Teams
Bantu Rovers: Takunda Mutangi, Zephaniah Ngodzo, Emberton Tshuma, Master Mlangeni, Proud Zireni, Tatenda Magaisa (Tafadzwa Ngwenya 59th minute) , Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Fortune Ncube, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Nqobizitha Masuku, Bukhosi Sibanda
ZPC Kariba: Tendai Hove, Paroon Chinungwa, Obey Mwerahari, Ephraim Mwinga, Moses Makanje, Peter Muzondo,Tawanda Munyanduri, Raphael Manuvire, Trevor Chikede (Artwell Nyamiwa 46th minute), Limited Chikafa (Tshepo Ranthokoane 76th minute, Tawanda Nyamandwe (Gladmore Chikosa 61st minute)
derick.khumalo