Beitbridge celebrates with capacity crowd

Thupeyo Muleya in BEITBRIDGE
Strikers 1 – 2 Chapungu
IT was a good pay day for Border Strikers with more than 5,000 people turning up to watch their Castle Lager Premiership homecoming tie against Chapungu at Dulivhadzimu yesterday. A full house greeted Border Strikers’ first home match in this town this season but the hosts crashed to a heartbreaking defeat. Border Strikers should have won this match or, at worst, scrambled a draw but they missed a number of great chances. Tabwe Kalunga, Micheal Mwenya and Kudzanai Kwashi were the biggest culprits. They were punished as the airmen emerged victorious with goals from Patrick Khumbula and Allen Tavarwisa.

Substitute William Nyoni scored a consolation for the hosts three minutes into time added on. Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino commended the Premier Soccer League for giving Border Strikers the chance to play their matches at home.

“The Border Strikers team was good and gave us a run for our money,” he said. Border Strikers’ coach Saul Chaminuka said they needed to address a number of areas. “We didn’t get enough time to prepare and hence we couldn’t find our rhythm throughout the match. We’re going back to the drawing board to address challenges in all departments,” he said.

Border Strikers publicist Raniel Ndou thanked the fans who thronged the stadium. “The turn out is encouraging and it’s unfortunate the team failed to convert chances. We need to improve in that area,” he said.

Teams
Border Strikers: G. Chigwandaza, P. Muzondo, W. Nyoni (M. Mwenya 58th min), M. Variso, F. Mukarati, G. Mukambi, L. Genti, M. Chirape, B. Chirumhanzu, K. Kwashi, T. Kalunga.

Chapungu: S. Muzingi, C. Kwaramba, H. Mugoniwa, B. Zabula, W. Ngonya, A. Peperere, P. Marufu, X. Ncube, T. Mangwendere (P Khumbula 56th min), A. Tavarwisa.