The Sunday News
ZPC Kariba ……………………………………………….. (1) 1
Flame Lily ……………………………………………..…. (1) 1
ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka feels the extensive travelling his side is involved in is taking its toll on his players.
ZPC Kariba, who were held by Premiership newcomers Flame Lily at Gwanzura yesterday, have already clocked over 5 000km after seven rounds of action.
The electricians are praying that Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba passes the Premier Soccer League test this week.
Free scoring linkman Raphael Manuvire notched up his sixth goal of the season after 20 minutes as ZPC Kariba dominated the early exchanges.
However, Flame Lily’s Moses Demera responded with a wonder strike that should be a top contender for the Goal of the Season on 45 minutes.
Demera’s 30-metre curling shot, that nestled into the top corner, beating Jonathan Zvaita all systems out, was a beauty.
It’s unfortunate there were no TV cameras to capture the magical moment.
ZPC Kariba finished with 10 men after substitute Russel Madamombe was red carded in the 90th minute for indiscipline.
In the end, it was two points lost for Chaminuka and his men. “We have been travelling a lot and this has been disrupting our program. Playing at Nyamhunga would be an added advantage. We all hope that we will be playing at our real home soon” said Chaminuka after yesterday’s stalemate.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele confirmed that the grounds committee will inspect the newly built $750 000 stadium this week.
The PSL chief, however, stressed that the committee will not be pressured into certifying Nyamhunga for sentiments sake. “Because of our commitments at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair we could not send our inspection team this week (last week).
“The inspection team goes there sometime next week (this week) but it should be clear that we are not going to be pushed into approving something which does not meet the minimum requirements,” said Ndebele.
There are high expectations that Premiership football could finally descend on the resort town of Kariba with the local authority confident ZPC Kariba will host pacesetters Chicken Inn at Nyamhunga in Week Nine.
ZPC Kariba, have been using their adopted home Gwanzura Stadium since gaining promotion last year, as Nyamhunga continuously failed the PSL test.
Last week our Harare Bureau was in Kariba and caught up with the local Town Council’s housing director Godfrey Magijani at the stadium. “The PSL’s latest recommendations touched on the seating area, dressing rooms, goal posts, electricity lines above the northern side, entry and exit points as well as the issue of the rubbles that were strewn across the stadium.
“I am glad to announce that all that has been dealt with. Terracing has been completed on the southern and eastern sides of the stadium with a seating capacity of 5 000.
“As you can see, the rubbles are being cleared and the dressing rooms have been expanded as required. The issue of goalposts which were four centimeters shorter has been addressed, so has the field of play which has been compacted.
“Fitting of turnstiles at all the eight entry gates has been completed, our only worry was the electricity lines on the northern side but for now fans will not sit there,” said Magijani.
Teams
ZPC Kariba: J. Zvaita, S. Sheshe, D. Phiri, G. Magariro, D. Dauda, S. Appiah, T. Munyanduri, R. Manuvire, A. Nyamiwa (R. Madamombe 61st), P. Tafirenyika (D. Chakupe 79th), B. Mukuture.
Flame Lily: L. Majarira, G. Phiri, S. Jimu, E. Madhanaga, R. Kawondera, P. Chidawaya, T. Huwa, M. Demera (W. Mukudo 70th), F. Mugumwa, M. Chigora (P. Chinyama 75th), W. Muronda (M. Muponda 88th).
