Chronicle Editor
Mukudzei Chingwere, Midlands Bureau
Chapungu 1-0 ZPC Kariba
A subdued performance by visiting ZPC Kariba gifted army side Chapungu maximum points in a dull league match at Ascot yesterday.
Brighton Mugoni’s solitary strike 20 minutes from time ensured an important victory for the airmen.
In fact maximum points were prime on the agenda for both sides as they both came into the match on the back of a three-game winless streak with two defeats and one draw apiece.
But the visitors looked to be in shambles following the announcement by veteran gaffer Sunday Chidzambwa that he would not renew his stay in Kariba after the conclusion of the season.
From the onset Chidzambwa’s charges lacked the zeal to compete playing like a team which is desperate to see the final whistle blowing to signal the end of the match.
Chidzambwa, who seemed unineterested in the proceedings at Ascot said after the match that his team probably deserved to lose following their disappointing discharge of duty.
“We played badly and we never came into the match. Chapungu deserved to win today they were determined to get the result. We lacked the fighting spirit in the game and in football when you do not fight you do not win matches. In our remaining matches we just have to encourage the boys to continue fighting so that we can win matches,” said Chidzambwa.
Chapungu came into this one sitting just above relegation zone and knew that a loss coupled by a Shabanie Mine victory could have seen them drop into the dreaded zone.
They probed with more meaningful attempts at goal early in the game. Mugoni released Blessing Sahondo in the seventh minute and the latter’s shot was over the cross bar.
Two minutes later Mugoni got space just outside the box but his effort crashed against the woodwork.
Soon after the breather former Dynamos striker Patrick Kumbula missed the target after he was left unattended just outside the box.
Chapungu then struck gold when Tinei Chitora released Mugoni 20 minutes before full time to fire home a low drive past a hapless Tendai Hove.
Ten minutes before full-time Raphael Manuvire got a chance to level the scoreboard but his free-kick was inches wide.
Chapungu coach Tendai Chikuni was relieved to collect maximum points in a game they never came to the party themselves.
“We were not at our best but we managed to grind a result. We are coming from a defeat and we desperately wanted this win. The games are coming very fast and fatigue is creeping in, most of our first team players are also injured and we need to manage this situation.
“But getting a result without some of our regular players shows that we have what it takes to survive relegation at the end of the season,” said Chikuni.
Meanwhile, a Moses Demera last kick of the game was all Yadah FC needed as the newboys rallied from behind to snatch a vital point on the road in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Gibbo yesterday.
Yadah and Triangle drew 2-2.
Teams
Chapungu: R Mazingi, C Mativenga, R Bota, B Zabula (T Ndlovu 15th minute), B Mbavarira, M Muchingami, L Gwerina (T Chitora 50th minute), B Mugoni, P Marufu, P Kumbula, B Sahondo (O Mukuradare 71st minute)
ZPC Kariba: T Hove, B Zuberi, T Nyamandwe, S Appiah, T Munyanduri, N Tigere, T Mugoniwa (S Makawa 55th minute), T Chamboko, R Manuvire, M Kunyarimwe, F Zekumbawire (P Wadyadyena 82nd minute)
Bongani Ndlovu