ZPC Kariba still unstoppable

Muzingaye Ncube
ZPC Kariba………………………………… (0) 1
Chicken Inn……………………………………..0
ZPC Kariba extended their run to 16 matches in their maiden season in the Castle Lager Premier League yesterday with a 1-0 win over Chicken Inn with a second half goal from substitute Luckmore Makura in a closely contested match.

Yesterday’s win saw ZPC Kariba move into second position with 30 points, the same number with log leaders Highlanders who, however, have a chance to stretch their lead at the top if they beat Bantu Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.

Chicken Inn had a fair share of chances that went begging in the first half with the major one coming in the 13th minute when Clemence Matawu failed to bring down a Frankson Bushire cross from the right flank allowing the ZPC backline to clear. Young George Majika had a decent afternoon managing to run at the visitors’ defence and send in a few crosses but Gamecocks striker Thomas Chimenya was a huge letdown.

Veteran ZPC midfielder Limited Chikafa produced a solitary impressive counter attacking run in the half hour mark beating his marker Devine Lunga on the left flank before sending in a low cross trying to find Tsepo Rantokoane in the box but Moses Jackson was alert and managed to clear the ball to safety for a ZPC corner.

Moments later Matawu who seemed to have regained his yesteryear form and had an attempt at a goal which went just inches over the bar. The first half was to be concluded by two Chicken Inn successive corner kicks which all went to waste as the home side failed to get something out of them.

The second period started on a high note with ZPC making their first substitution with Pride Tafirenyika making way for the scorer Makura who struck a beautiful goal with his powerful left foot from a free kick just outside the box which found the top right corner leaving Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze a beaten man.

Chicken Inn could have found an equaliser in the 69th minute when Lunga and Ishmael Lawe had a beautiful exchange of passes before Lawe unleashed a cracker from which Tendai Hove produced an equally good save before being fouled by Matawu who had gone for a rebound.

In the 74th minute Chicken Inn introduced Toto Banda for the injured Ramson Zhuwawo, a move which tactically had presented the hosts with two striking options who are full of running after having brought in Lawe in place of misfiring Thomas in the 61st minute.

The Gamecocks were unlucky to leave the stadium empty handed as they came close to an equaliser in additional time after Lawrence Mhlanga’s header was cleared off the line by Dexter Phiri after he had beaten the visitors’ goalkeeper Hove who had a good game.
Saul Chaminuka, the ZPC head coach applauded his charges for a good game which has given him three successive wins.

“They had a very good game and a spirited performance, all the credit goes to the players. I am impressed,” he said, adding that a top four finish will be a bonus for his team as their main aim is only to survive relegation considering it’s their first time in topflight football.
On the other hand the Chicken Inn head coach Joey Antipas blamed their home ground for the defeat.

“We seem to be struggling in what is supposed to be our home ground, the results have not been forthcoming, we seem to be playing better away,” he said.

He, however, said they had a good game despite conceding one goal through a well taken free kick which he could not blame his keeper for.

Teams
Chicken Inn: Elvis Chipezeze, Moses Jackson, Devine Lunga, John Bernard, Lawrence Mhlanga, Ramson Zhuwawo (Banda 74 mins), Thabani Goredema, Clemence Matawu, George Majika (Nkomo 62 mins), Frankson Bushire, Thomas Chimeya ( Lawe 62 mins)
ZPC Kariba: Tendai Hove, Obey Mwerahari, Moses Makunje (Mateyaunga 72 mins), Ephraim Mwinga, Artwel Nyamhiwa (Nyamandwe 82 minuntes), Tawanda Munyanduri, Pride Tafirenyika (Makura 51 minutes), Dexter Phiri, Tsepo Rantokoane, Limited Chikafa, Dennis Dauda.