The Sunday News
Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
Chapungu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Harare City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
IT was the same script and different characters at Ascot Stadium as Chapungu earned their first set of maximum points beating an out of sorts Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter.
Last season Chapungu claimed their first set of three points at Ascot against the same opposition when they won 2-1. Veteran striker Tinei Chitora settled matters in the 14th minute for the hosts with a strike inside the box as Chapungu took advantage of some loose marking by the Sunshine Boys.
A relieved Tendai Chikuni said he will build his campaign from the win.
“I am happy the executive and the fans have been very patient with us and finally today we have managed a win. It is very encouraging to the players and we will build from this result going forward,” he said.
His counterpart Mike Madzivanyika blamed the loss on his players whom he said did not apply themselves well.
“You saw what happened, my strikers left their shooting boots at home and the guys we have upfront are not proving to be the right material for us for this league. Soon after we conceded my players gave up easily,” said a visibly distraught Madzivanyika.
It was the visitors who settled first and could have surged ahead in the opening stages of the game when William Manondo caught the Chapungu rearguard at sea but instead of shooting past a badly exposed Talbert Shumba he chose to beat Chapungu defenders.
The move backfired as the hosts defence reorganised and his resultant effort was easily dealt with by the Chapungu defence.
Following an opening ten minutes spell where Harare City had virtually camped in their own opponents’ half, Chapungu slowly crawled back into the match and their first real chance resulted in the goal.
“Waru Waru” earned possession in their own half and exciting winger Ian Nyoni charged in the opposition’s half before finding Brighton Mugoni who laid the ball on the path of Chitora.
The former Triangle striker then turned and shot from close range beating a badly exposed Maxwell Nyamupanedengu in goals for City torching wild celebrations from a handful Chapungu supporters.
Chitora could have doubled the hosts’ advantage eight minutes later when Chapungu engineered the same move but his header from a Nyoni cross was off target. The airmen again had the initiative in the second half but they could not double their advantage.
Harare City could have restored parity in the 82nd minute when an Edwin Madhananga corner kick was parried for another corner kick by Shumba but not before it had rattled the woodwork.
In the end Chapungu held on to the one goal cushion to earn themselves their first set of maximum points this season.
— @lavuzigara1
