City’s late strike downs Chapungu

Tedious Manyepo, Harare Bureau
Harare City 1-0 Chapungu

HARARE CITY did themselves a huge favour in boosting their survival chances when substitute Wilfred Muvirimi struck deep into time added on to help them beat a resilient Chapungu in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro yesterday.

Until Muvirimi’s intervention, rising highest in the box to head in an Edwin Madhanhanga perfectly-curled free kick, this game seemed destined for a dull draw with the visitors apparently happy about it.

The result helped the Sunshine Boys leapfrog their opponents into 13th place with 31 points, the same as Yadah Stars.

Their coach, Philani “Beefy” Ncube was happy with the three points, especially after having to endure frustration throughout the entire afternoon as the airmen thwarted everything they threw at them.

“We have done everything, we were so patient and it is really a sweet victory and I am very happy about that,” he said.

“The victory has really left us on a good position on the log but we are aware that we are not yet safe from relegation.

“I am happy for the boys, for their performance today but we are already looking forward to our next game against Dynamos on Sunday. “Basing from this performance, I am very confident that we will keep on picking points and finish in a decent position.”

Both teams, fresh from posting wins in the Chibuku Super Cup last weekend, approached the game cautiously and good chances were few and far             between.

The only meaningful chance of the first stanza saw Harare City striker Grey Kufandada shooting over the bar after a fine cross from the exciting Takudzwa Chimwemwe eight minutes before the break.

Chapungu were doing all the defending as they looked determined to take a point home and when they appeared to have done just that.

They even started to take the game to their opponents with Allan Tavarwisa and Blessing Sahondo taking turns to test goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamukanedengu.

Chapungu coach, Tendai Chikuni, said it was a disappointing loss but was confident they will avoid relegation.

“We played well and we almost won a point but football is always like that. We had defended well but one mistake cost us.

“We are still confident of avoiding relegation and we are already looking forward to our next game. We don’t want to rely on other results and so we are going to try and win games for ourselves,” he said.