adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa in Gweru
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 3
Dongo Sawmill . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CHAPUNGU continued with their revival when they beat winless log anchors Dongo Sawmill in a one-sided Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Ascot yesterday.
A second half brace from Tineyi Chitora and a strike from Hlahla Ncube secured victory. After a scrappy and goalless first half Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino introduced veteran forward Philip Marufu at the beginning of the second half in a move that swung the game his team’s way.
Marufu made his presence felt just five minutes after his introduction when he set up Chitora for the opener. Chapungu continued to pile pressure on the visitors and doubled their advantage on 66 minutes when Marvelous Dikinya weaved past the Dongo Sawmill defence and flighted a cross which found an unmarked Ncube.
Waru Waru could have made it three two minutes from full time when they were awarded a penalty after Hillary Mugoniwa was brought down inside the box.
However, Ngonidzashe Murisa’s effort was saved by the visitors’ goalie Forward Pfumojena. Chitora completed his brace in the 90th minutes when he fired home from close range after connecting a Marufu cross.Nyikadzino was impressed with his charges’ performance and attributed the victory to hard work. “I am very happy with the performance and the fact that we are utilising our opportunities. I am impressed that we have found the rhythm and I hope that we will maintain the momentum. We want to keep focused and concentrate on each game that we play. I understand that the players might feel that we are in form after going for six games unbeaten but it’s still a long way to go. We have plenty of games to play,” he said.
Dongo Sawmill coach Shadreck Mugurasave was devastated.
“This was a poor performance from my boys. Usually we lose by a goal to nil. There was lack of concentration in midfield and we were punished for that. We are still hopeful thought that things will change in the future and we are not putting ourselves under pressure,” he said.
Chapungu: R Mazingi, W Ngonya, H Mugoniwa, M Muchangani, B Zabula, M Mavuto (P Marufu 46 min), L Makura, N Ncube, T Chitora, C Kwaramba, A Tavarwisa (N Murisa 72 min)
Dongo: F Pfumojena, M Tapatapa, K Njovo, T. Mapungwana, E Chikwaikwai, D Chitsanzara, K Katandika, D Coutinho (C Dhuwa 53), S Sithole (N Tigere 65 min), E Stephin, L Masibera
Online Reporter