Chapungu move to safety

Lovemore Zigara Sports Correspondent
Chapungu 1-0 Black Rhinos
WILD celebrations torched Ascot Stadium soon after the referee blew the final whistle when Chapungu beat fellow relegation candidates Black Rhinos in a Castle Lager Premiership match.

A 15th minute penalty converted by Charles Murisa after Rhinos’ Bruce Homora had handled in the box ensured Chapungu collected maximum points and moved to safety.

The win completed a double over Rhinos after the airmen beat the army side by the same margin in Kadoma. A relieved John Nyikadzino who now needs a point in their last match against Highlanders to be assured of Premiership football next season could not hide his joy and paid tribute to the entire Gweru community for the win.

“It was a tough match but we remained disciplined at the back to protect our lead. I want to thank our sponsors BancEasy for the incentives they were giving us as well as the Gweru community which has been rallying behind us and it is only fair that we remain in the league for their sake,” he said.

Chapungu showed their intentions as early as the fifth minute as they enjoyed the exchanges when Farai Manase’s cross was headed just wide by Phillip Marufu.

After incessant pressure from the airmen the Rhinos defence finally crumbled when a Manase shot was handled in the box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot. Up stepped Murisa who fired a low shot past Jonathan Zvaita who dived the right way but was beaten by the pace of the ball. With the match wearing on Rhinos slowly crawled back into the game and could have levelled proceedings when a Stephen Matsangaise shot from about 25 yards was saved by Roy Mazingi in goal for Chapungu.

Rhinos took the game to their opponents in the second half in search of an equaliser and could have drawn level after Mazingi committed himself early after Jameson Mukombwe made a solo run before squaring the ball to Simon Choenda but with the goal yawning he directed his header off target.

Ten minutes later Murisa could have doubled Chapungu’s advantage when he broke loose but skied his effort in a one-on-one situation with the Rhinos goalie. “Chipembere” came back to probe Chapungu in the 83rd minute when Douglas Mbewe who had replaced Shadreck Jimu saw his effort hitting the upright from inside the box but the rebound did not find any takers.

He had taken advantage of a goalmouth scramble in the Chapungu box.

In the end Chapungu held on to collect maximum points. Black Rhinos coach Jostein Mathuthu refused to entertain journalists as he made his way to the dressing room.