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Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 2
ANDREW Chuma broke the hearts of Chapungu fans through the proverbial sucker punch on the stroke of full time as Hwange collected their first set of maximum points at Ascot Stadium yesterday in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter.
The visitors had drawn first blood in the 26th minute through Nomore Chinyerere who took advantage of a defensive mix up and slotted the ball home from close range before Chapungu replied through a Raymond Sibanda penalty.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Chapungu who dominated the entire game and hit the woodwork on three occasions but were caught on the break by a tactically disciplined Chipangano. Chapungu who controlled the game with some methodical build-ups could have surged ahead as early as the eighth minute when exciting winger Blessing Sahondo beat Hwange goalkeeper Taimon Mvula but not the upright. From then on the hosts grew in confidence but could not find the breakthrough but instead it was the visitors who surged ahead against the run of play when Chinyerere broke loose after the Chapungu defence was caught at sea and slotted the ball home past a badly exposed Roy Mazingi in goals for the hosts.
The second half started with Chapungu on the ascendancy as the introduction of veteran forward Phillip Marufu in the 53rd minute who came in for Moenda Machingami brought some urgency in the Chapungu side. “Waru Waru” were then rewarded for the incessant pressure after a Hwange player was adjudged to have handled inside the box and up stepped Sibanda, sending Mvula the wrong way. The airmen were soon reduced to 10 men when Blessing Zabula was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence and with the game seemingly heading for a draw Chuma struck. Veteran Gilbert Zulu gained possession inside the box and set up Chuma whose first time volley was no answer for Mazingi.
Hwange coach Nation Dube was elated with the result and said they will build from the win.
“This is a confidence booster for us and I am happy to have picked maximum points. We are going to build from this result going forward,” he said. His counterpart Tendai Chikuni was visibly disappointed and blamed the defeat on his side’s defensive errors and the red card.
Results
Friday: Shabanie Mine 0-2 Bulawayo City; Tsholotsho 0-0 Yadah
Yesterday: Ngezi Platinum Stars 2- 0 How Mine
Fixtures: Tomorrow: Bantu Rovers v Triangle (Luveve Stadium)
Bongani Ndlovu