adminLangton Nyakwenda
Harare City………. …………………………………………………………………………….(1) 2
ZPC Kariba ………………………………………………………………………………..… (2) 3
“BRING on Dynamos”
This was the bold declaration by ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka soon after the electricity generators dispatched a battling Harare City to assume pole position in an absorbing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
A first half brace from veteran striker Limited Chikafa and a cool finish just after the restart by the productive Pride Tafirenyika saw ZPC Kariba overtake Dynamos on the log standings courtesy of a superior goal difference.
Harare City, who have now gone for four matches without a win conceding 13 goals in the process, replied through a blistering free kick by centre back Arnold Chiveya and a forceful strike by the in-form Francesco Zekumbawire.
ZPC Kariba and Dynamos are now tied on 53 points although DeMbare can reclaim top spot if they beat or draw with Division One bound Bantu Rovers at the same venue today.
The two teams then clash in what could turn out to be a championship decider in Harare next weekend.
And Chaminuka, who for long has been evasive on his real target, declared war on defending champions DeMbare soon after the final whistle.
“With two games to go and one of them against Dynamos, I can safely say now that I am aiming for the championship.
“My boys are just marvellous, they showed great character today, we just have to beat Dynamos in the next fixture and we are home and dry.
“We can play them anywhere but I would prefer a soft surface like Gwanzura, after all we have never lost in Highfield,” said Chaminuka, whose side played on Rufaro’s artificial turf for the first time this season.
Two-goal hero Chikafa was on cloud nine and believes his team can wrest the title from DeMbare.
“As a veteran I had to come to the party, its good I scored the two goals that helped my team pick up vital points. The win motivates us ahead of the big clash against DeMbare,” he said.
Chikafa opened the scoring after 15 minutes when his free kick, struck from just outside the box, took a slight deflection and deceived City keeper Nomore John, thrown into the fray at the expense of the usual starter Maxwell Nyamupanedengu.
Former Zimbabwe Warriors goalkeeper Nyamupanedengu paid the price for leaking five during the midweek loss to DeMbare.
City responded in almost similar style, but with a little more swagger as Chiveya’s powerful free kick nestled into the top left corner, beating a bemused Tonderayi Mateyaunga on 19 minutes.
Masimba Dinyero’s “Sunshine City Boys” besieged the ZPC Kariba goal area in the dying stages, creating several chances in the last 10 minutes but the youthful Mateyaunga stood firm.
Zekumbawire hit the cross bar in the 82nd minute before Mateyaunga smothered Timire Mamvura’s grounder five minutes later.
Substitute Benson Maglasi had an opportunity to level matters a minute before full time but he shot wide after he was set up by the lively Talent Chawapiwa.
Teams
Harare City: N John, T Mamvura, M Nyenye Diro, A Chaka (C Dickson 60 min), A Chiveya, T Ngulube, J Jam, W Manondo (A Murimba 60 min), O Mukuradare (B Maglasi 50 min), T Chawapiwa, F Zekuwambire
ZPC Kariba: T Mateyaunga, D Phiri, M Makanje, E Mwinga, T Ranthokoane, O Mwerahari (P Chinugwa 85 mins), P Tafirenyika, P Muzondo, L Chikafa (A Nyamiwa 67 min), D Dauda, T Nyamandwe
Online Reporter