Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZDF Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Namibia Defence Forces Select . . (0) 1
THE ZDF Select put a fitting end to this year’s commemorations of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day when they beat their visiting Namibian counterparts and retained the Defence Forces trophy at Rufaro yesterday.
Chapungu attacking midfielder Hammond Muchingami grabbed the winning goal with the last piece of action after coming on as a late second-half substitute.
The ZDF Select had shown intent earlier on, with Willard Zakeyo putting them ahead after only 15 minutes.
The Namibians, however, returned from the breather fired up and immediately found the equaliser courtesy of Stephanus Makayi.
ZDF Select, led by Chapungu coach Tererai Zinyowera, walked away with the trophy and the US$20 000 prize money.
“We are very happy to win this game because we really needed to retain the title we won last year. It feels good to win in front of such an enthusiastic crowd, and we dedicate this to the people of Zimbabwe,” said Zinyowera.
Namibia Defence Forces Select pocketed US$15 000 for their efforts.
“It was a hard-fought victory because it was two halves. We dominated in the first half, but in the second half, they dominated, and got an equaliser.
“But we didn’t give up the fight. We looked a bit fitter than them and we used that advantage of these guys (who are playing together at their clubs).
“We realised that they were tired in the last minutes of the game and we pushed until the end. It was very, very important to win this game,” said Zinyowera.
The ZDF Select, comprising mostly Black Rhinos, Chapungu and Cranborne Bullets players, entertained home fans with a well-organised second-half performance.
The match was played 35-minutes aside, and both sides put commendable shifts.
Sylvester Munhira had the opportunity to put Zimbabwe ahead after storming the opponents’ box, but the midfielder shot tamely at the goalkeeper. ZDF Select still managed to surge ahead with the very next attack when the visitors were caught off-guard.
Rhinos midfielder Zakeyo volleyed into the roof of the nets at the quarter of an hour to ignite celebrations in the stadium, filled to capacity, for this year’s ZDF Day celebrations.
But the Namibians were not deterred.
Forward Makayi levelled matters soon after the half-time break, after taking advantage of poor marking inside the box from a corner.
The Namibians also had some brilliant forays into the ZDF Select territory, but Chapungu goalkeeper Polite Sibanda demonstrated why he is one of the best in the ZIFA Central Region Soccer League with some brilliant stops to keep the scoreboard balanced.
The ZDF Select carved more chances late in the second-half but the finishing was not clinical. Substitute Muchingami then ensured victory for the hosts with a last-minute finish after latching onto a loose ball inside the box.
The football match was part of the 46th Defence Forces Day commemorations officiated by the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, President Mnangagwa, at Rufaro yesterday.
Teams:
ZDF Select: Polite Sibanda, Prince Mutasa, Tanaka Maruza, Beven Makandise, Philip Chamunorwa, Marshal Mugaviri, Willard Zakeyo, Believe Madzangu (Brian Ndlovu, 45th min), Sylvester Munhira, Ignatius Mavende (Hammond Muchingami, 63rd min), Devine Sibanda
Namibia Defence Forces Select: Malakia Handuki, Jason David, Elriko Goseb, Simeon Mambondj, Motjari Kazon-dunge, Abiatar Makaya, Maleagae Garoeb, Given Ngombe, Johannes Nepembe (Rikarerere Mbahuuruwa, 65th min), Stephanus Makayi, Charles Jitula (Reinhold Shivula, 50th min)
