ZPC Kariba’s worries continue

Don Makanyanga in KARIBA

ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 (1)

Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1(1)

Relegation-threatened ZPC Kariba yesterday blew a chance to give themselves some breathing room when they were held one-all by 10-man Black Rhinos at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.

They remain stuck in the 14th position with 29 points. First-half goals by Everson Feremba and Moses Demera resulted in the two sides sharing the spoils in an otherwise entertaining match.

The game could have produced more goals had forwards from both sides been more clinical in front of goal.

The match started off at an electric pace as action swung from one side of the pitch to the other.

Black Rhinos eventually broke the deadlock at the half-hour mark, as Everson Feremba tapped in a blocked Tawanda Nyamandwe goal-bound effort.

Despite finding themselves trailing by a goal, the hosts continued to press and were duly rewarded eight minutes later when Moses Demera headed in a Foster Demhere cross.

The hosts came close to increasing their lead four minutes before the break when Tinotenda Chiunye saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Collen Kwaramba.

ZPC returned from the break a much hungrier side and went on the assault in a bid to get maximum points to ease their relegation worries.

However, Rhinos’ defence was resolute.

The army side was reduced to 10 men when Kwaramba was shown a straight red card in the 75th minute by referee Tichaona Mbire for a rough tackle on Demhere.

“The expulsion changed our gameplan, but I am happy that we managed to contain them and got the point,” said Rhinos coach Stix Mutizwa.

“We knew it was going to be difficult, but I am happy with my boys’ performance.”

His counterpart Rodwell Dhlakama rued missed chances and felt a draw was two points lost in his team’s quest for survival.

“We had numerous chances in the first half, and I feel we could have won this match by a bigger margin.

“To us, the draw is more of two points lost than a point gained.”