Herentals stun ZPC Kariba

Dennis Kagonye in KARIBA
ZPC Kariba …………(0) 0

Herentals …………….(1) 1

ZPC Kariba continued to sing the blues when they suffered a home defeat at the hands of newboys Herentals in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Nyamhunga yesterday.

It was the first win for Herentals who said their priority this year was to survive the chop.

Herentals got their only goal in the 18th minute when Blessing Majarira fired from close range to beat ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Tendai Hove.

Herentals could have doubled the lead moments later but 45-year-old team owner Innocent Benza’s effort, after a through pass by enterprising Aaron Chiwandamidzi, missed the target.

Coach Godfrey Tamirepi made a double substitution in the 46th minute bringing in Peter Ghani and Lucky Vundla but the damage had already been done.

Tamirepi said they were not yet in panic mode as the league was just starting although he was disappointed by the defeat.

“It’s too early for us to panic but we are not happy with the performance of the team so far. But we are going to improve and it’s another loss after we lost three points to FC Platinum from the match which we did not play.

“The management are in a position to comment on the abandoned match we lost to FC Platinum,” said Tamirepi.

Herentals coach, Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, said yesterday’s win was a confidence-booster for his side.

“This is a morale booster for us as a team (that is) just getting into the Premier League. It’s our first win in the Premier League and also winning away from home, especially against ZPC Kariba at Nyamhunga where most of the teams in the Premier League have been struggling to win, is great.

“It gives our guys confidence as they get into the groove of the Premier League,’’ said Mutiwekuziva.

Teams

ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, B. Zuberi, M. Kunyarimwe, S. Appiah, S. Nekati, T. Munyarundi, D. Chakupe (L. Vundla 46th min), P. Tafirenyika (P. Ghani 46th min), T. Chamboko, M. Demera (T. Nyamandwe 63rd min), J. Gwara

Herentials: K. Magama, B. Maudzanidze, C. Mavhurume, B. Majarira, W. Chimbetu, W. Kapumha, A. Majarira, A. Chiwandamidzi, I. Benza (E. Mhungu 52nd min), B. Majarira, T. Chitukutuku (P. Chota 52nd min).