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Tadious Manyepo, Sports Reporter
ZPC KARIBA are not entirely out of the relegation precipice.
Just four points cushion themselves from Bulawayo Chiefs who occupy the last demotion slot with only six games before the season hits the finish line.
But the electricity men can count on their Boid Mutukure-marshalled defensive wall that has stood tallest in the league, to dodge the chop.
So good has been Newton Chitehwe’s backline that no team, including log leaders Simba Bhora have kept better numbers in this department.
The Mashonaland West side had the worst defensive record in the league last season, conceding a massive 48 goals in 34 games although they still managed to escape relegation.
But in 28 games this term, they have conceded just 15 goals in 28 matches, four fewer than championship favourites Simba Bhora, who have shipped in 19 with third-placed Ngezi Platinum Stars and Chicken Inn, the second best in this regard having both let in 17 goals.
Despite sitting on 10th place on the log, ZPC Kariba are joint second in terms of clean sheets kept after keeping out their opponents 16 times, the same as Ngezi Platinum.
Only Chicken Inn have kept more clean sheets having stopped their opponents from scoring in 17 games.
And it is ZPC Kariba captain Mutukure, who has been at the hub of the solid defensive work for his side.
The 31-year-old, who was wanted by Dynamos at the start of this season, has been the only ever-present figure in Chitehwe’s defence.
All three goalkeepers at the team, Tatenda Munditi, Future Sibanda and Hamilton Makainganwa have had a share of time in between the posts.
Munditi has kept goal in 11 matches, seeing out six clean sheets while Makainganwa was entrusted with guarding the posts 10 times and has managed as many clean sheets.
Sibanda has played seven games managing five plain scoreboards.
While Mutukure seems to have struck a flawless chord with Martial Gavaza at the heart of ZPC Kariba defence, he spent the better part of the first half of the season twinning with Bornface Zuberi.
In that four-man defensive line, Chitehwe also regularly rotates the likes of Fanuel Shoko, Kuzivakwashe Madima, Nyasha Gurende and sometimes draws back his nchorman Collin Muleya.
But Mutukure has always retained his place with Chitehwe describing the towering man as the league’s unsung hero.
“Boid Mutukure is one of the best defenders in the local league. He is the unsung hero of local football and it’s very unfortunate.
“His leadership qualities are incredible and his general play is second to none,” said Chitehwe.
“My defenders are doing a great job altogether, but you know Boid is on another level.”
Mutukure said his preoccupation is to save ZPC Kariba from sinking while making sure they stay intact at the back.
“I am very happy with how things have panned out in the back of our team. That is what we sat out to do when the season began,” said Mutukure.
“I think this is my best season so far. I have enjoyed football in the past but certainly, this is my best term since we are not conceding a lot of goals.
“But we are not satisfied with our overall play as a team. We need to score goals and win matches. At the end of the day, we need not only to avoid relegation, but to finish the season on stronger terms.”
With so much good work at the back, maybe this could be the year Mutukure finally makes it on the Soccer Stars of the Year calendar.
ZPC Kariba play Highlanders at Barbourfields tomorrow hoping to continue with their solidity at the back.
Online Reporter