Chapungu soar into second

Ishemunyoro Chingwere in GWERU

Chapungu.......................(1) 1

Flame Lily ..........................0

CHAPUNGU soared into second position on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table after securing their sixth win in eight matches at the expense of Flame Lily at Ascot yesterday.

Chapungu are now on 21 points, two less than log leaders Chicken Inn’s.

Bustling striker Allen Tavarwisa scored what turned out to be the winner on 27 minutes to continue with his own rich vein of form.

The former Dynamos man shrugged off the challenge of Effort Kopeni, raced towards goal, before unleashing a low show that beat Prosper Chigumba in goals for the visitors.

After the goal, Flame Lily tried to fight their way back into the game, but Chapungu, with Roy Mazingi in goals, stood firm. Mazingi did well to parry Motion Muponda’s swerving effort on 55 minutes.

Second half substitute Phillip Marufu blew a good opportunity to double Chapungu’s lead just before the hour mark when he shot wide, with Chigumba badly exposed.

The home side’s coach John Nyikadzino, who was nearly sacked after his team had failed to neither win nor score in the first three games, was left on cloud nine by the result.

“Some were already calling for my head after the first three matches and I don’t really know what kind of football that is,” he said.

“I just want to thank God for this result because our hard work is beginning to be rewarded. We reacted to the pressure that was piled on us after the first three games by going back to the training ground to work hard and the results are there for all to see.

“This was not an easy game by any means, but my boys did the business and we look forward to the next challenge.”

For Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera, yesterday’s defeat was another learning curve for his Premiership débutantes.

“We have a young team which is playing some brilliant football and we could have gotten away with a point had we converted the chances we created.

“We are learning with each game and remain confident that we will survive relegation,” he said.

Teams:

Chapungu-R Mazingi, W Ngonya, H Mugoniwa, M Muchangani, B Zabula, R Mhlanga (X Ncube 78 mins), G Phiri, N Ncube (M Dikinya 68 mins), T Magwendere ( P. Marufu 46 mins), C Kwaramba, A. Tavarwisa

Flame Lilly – P. Chigumba, G. Phiri, B. Chandisaita, E Kopeni, P. Chidawaya, P. Musaka, M. Chigora, S. Harrison (V. Makudo 50 mins) , P Ngwenya, M Muponda (S Munhira 84 mins)