adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa in GWERU
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
CHAPUNGU notched their second win of the season when they beat ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter played at Ascot yesterday. The airmen got their goals from Gift Phiri and Tineyi Chitora in either half while ZPC Kariba got their sole goal through Dexter Phiri.Chapungu opened the scoring in the 41st minute when Gift Phiri headed home from close range after getting to the end of a Collen Kwaramba cross.
ZPC levelled matters in the 63rd minute when Phiri’s thunderbolt beat ‘keeper Roy Mazingi.
But Chapungu secured victory in the 81st minute when captain Philip Marufu worked his way past his marker and laid the ball to Chitora who tapped into the net from close range.
There was drama after the final whistle when Tawanda Nyamandwe became emotional and raised his hands in frustration but Moenda Machingambi made a meal out of it and fell to the ground, seemingly in pain.
Referee Makonese Masakadza quickly reached his back pocket and gave Nyamandwe his marching orders much to the disappointment of the ZPC Kariba players who mobbed the referee in protest.
ZPC Kariba gaffer, Saul Chaminuka, condemned referee Masakadza’s decision.
“The referee comes from where he was and gets information from the players and gives a red card.
“When I’m looking at it, this was actually planned for the next game that we are going to play against CAPS United.
“That is the game of football for you here in Zimbabwe and I do not even care if I get sanctioned because this is what I call b******t.
“I do not know how many times I can say it because it’s b******t. The way the referee has handled this match is b******t,” he said.
Chapungu Coach John Nyikadzino was, naturally, happy with the result.
“I’m very happy with the win that we got here at home. It is good for the people of Gweru. What I can say is that we had a turning point after beating Highlanders in Bulawayo and it boosted our confidence,” said Nyikadzino.
Online Reporter