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Chapungu 2-1 Buffaloes FC
AIRMEN Chapungu needed a stoppage time penalty to edge a resilient Buffaloes in a battle for supremacy for the military teams.
The premiership tie was played at Ascot Stadium as the title and relegation fights get more fierce.
Leftback Charles Murisa needed a second bite of the cherry to ensure that Chapungu collected maximum points in stoppage time after his initial effort had hit the woodwork before he latched on to the rebound.
The hosts had taken an early lead in the 13th minute through Gift Phiri who fired from inside the box after he had been set up by Courage Muzire.
“Watungwa Watungwa” replied 16 minutes after the breather through Lloyd Katongomara who took advantage of a spill by Chapungu goalkeeper Roy Mazingi to fire a rebound from close range.
Roy Mwenga had sent a shot at goal.
A minute earlier Buffaloes skipper Jacob Muzvokomba had been cautioned by the referee after he had put the ball intended for a Chapungu goal kick into the back of the net in a suspected “juju” ritual.
Muzvokomba was the first to test the Chapungu goalie in the third minute but his effort just missed the upright by inches.
Chapungu who had the lion’s share of scoring chances in the first half saw Phillip Marufu failing to convert from close range after Phiri had done well to beat his marker before squaring the ball to the former Dynamos striker. With the goal yawning, Marufu skied his effort.
Chapungu mentor John Nyikadzino expressed satisfaction with the result.
“I am happy to collect three points but I am however, disappointed that we failed to utilise chances that came our way in the first half where I feel we should have buried the game,” he said.
Buffaloes assistant coach, Timothy Masachi, said his side was unlucky to lose the match.
He said: “It was unfortunate that we lost the game because a draw was the fairest result.”
Online Reporter