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Simba Chiminya in Gweru
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
Tsholotsho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
TSHOLOTSHO skipper William Sitima scored a beauty of a free kick to earn his team a point in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Ascot yesterday.
Chapungu took a 55th minute lead when Rodwell Mhlanga tapped home after the visitors’ substitute goalkeeper Godswill Saungweme spilled a Jameson Mukombwe free kick into his path.
However, the lead only lasted for five minutes as Sitima, who also scored from a free kick against Highlanders last weekend, left Chapungu goalie Roy Mazingi stranded with a lovely effort.
“Credit to our captain for rescuing a point for us, he always practices these free kicks and all that hard work is paying off now,” said Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe after the match.
“We were a bit slow in the first half and our cause was not helped by conceding five minutes into the second half.
“However, we kept pressing and were rewarded with that equaliser. A point away from home is not bad at all, yes we could have gone on to win this game because we created several chances but this is not a bad result.”
Chapungu had the brighter start with Gift Phiri fluffing a good chance in the 11th minute after Tsholotsho’s first choice goalie Marion Chang punched Maxwell Mavuto’s shot into his path.
Phiri, with the whole goal to aim at, shot straight at Chang who sustained a nasty looking injury as he went down to parry the ball away.
After missing from close range Phiri had go from a distance in the 28th minute but his effort did not trouble Saungweme, who replaced Chang.
The second half brought the goals and saw Chapungu throwing everything at the visitors in the dying stages in search of maximum points.
However, Tsholotsho, who had veteran Joel Luphala steadying the ship in the middle of the park, held on for a valuable away point.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino conceded that his team, which fell 0-1 away to FC Platinum last weekend, was below par.
“We did not play our normal game today but these things happen in football.
“The goal we conceded was a silly one and could have easily been avoided, we go back to the drawing board now to work on our mistakes.”
Teams
Chapungu: R Mazingi, J Mukombwe, H Mugoniwa, B Zabula, C Kwaramba,, W Ngonya, G Phiri, X Ncube, P Khumbula, A Tavarwisa (T Mangwendere (70th minute), C Mavuto (C Kapupurika 70th minute)
Tsholotsho: M Chang (G Saungweme 17th minute), M Phiri, M Moyo, T Ncube, W Sitima , B Ncube, B Madanhire, J Lupahla (D Chivandire 87th minute), K Chitiyo, M Ponyera, L Chikuhwa (B Sibanda 46th minute)
Online Reporter