Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR 60 minutes, Manyame Airbase was emotionally charged as giants Chapungu and Makate High Fliers battled for the top two Premier Netball League spots.
What had promised to be a classic turned controversial, with disputed officiating calls and a full-time score mix-up stealing the limelight from a tense 44-44 stalemate.
The draw takes Chapungu to the summit with 57 points to their name, while Makate stay third on 55 and a game in hand.
Makate are favourites to leapfrog into second when they face bottom side Zimsmart, who sit 17th in the 18-team league.
Zimsmart have just four points from 30 games, having tasted victory only twice.
A win could see Chapungu and Makate level on 57 points, with the former retaining the top spot because of superior goal difference.
On court yesterday, it was a cagey, back-to-basics affair fought in the mid-court, where every feed had to count, and every error was punished.
Chapungu edged the first quarter 10-8 after stealing two turnovers on Makate, who took time to settle in the game.
Makate came out better organised in the second half, winning successive centre passes to overturn the deficit.
Once Makate got to their feet, they became unstoppable in their own half, forcing Chapungu to make several changes to match them. Zambian expatriate Elizabeth Bwalya provided the outlet in mid-court while veteran wing-attacker Lorraine Manjoro threaded the feeds, helping the visitors lead 22-21 at half-time.
The third quarter swung.
Chapungu turned over Makate’s centre pass to level with the first ball.
However, immediately they lost their own, still handing the visiting side an advantage.
Kenyan shooter Lydia Nyapera soon struck the right code, finding a clicking combination with Manjoro to become unstoppable in the shooting third.
However, Chapungu showed character, refusing to fold as experience came in handy through national team players, to manage a six goals lead at some point in the third quarter. Yet Makate refused to fold, forcing a turnaround in the dying stages of the third quarter leading to a 33-31 lead at the third break.
Returning in the last quarter, the match came with its controversies, which needed both sides to dig into their mental strength, taking it to the wire to force a 44-44 draw.
Chapungu coach Tatenda Shinya notes that it was a fair result in which his side proved mentally strong.
“Makate are now a big team in terms of play, and we cannot underestimate them anymore because they have the quality and confidence that can even win them a championship on any day,” he said.
“The draw was enough; it keeps us in contention so now we have to fight for superior goal difference if we can win this one.
“Tactically, they were good; they gave us pressure and forced us into the corner, so in some moments we succumbed to that.”
His equal number Tapiwa Chirenda was unamused.
“This was a really good game which tasted our character. I am impressed with how Makate fought, but I am concerned with the match officiating and the final result,” he said.
“We should have won the match. In fact, I feel we won, but anyway, there are some things that as a team we cannot control . . . some officiating calls that robbed us.
“But technically, they came prepared and we were forced to make changes to strike a balance, and I am happy it worked for us.”
