The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba………….. (1) 2 vs. Black Rhinos……… . (0) 1
ZPC Kariba yesterday bounced back into the title equation after beating army side Black Rhinos in an entertaining Castle Lager premiership encounter played at Gwanzura.
The home side, who are now two points behind log leaders Dynamos got the goals from Tawanda Munyanduri and Dennis Dauda while Rhinos got their consolation from Milton Kurewa.
The match began with the spotlight on ZPC gaffer Saul Chaminuka, who finally got his winnings for being July’s Coach of the Month.
He pocketed US$500.
Unfortunately, what was to follow was a drape 45 minutes opening whose only highlight was a red card for Rhinos’ Wonder Kapinda and a very opportunistic goal.
Both teams took their time to settle into the game with the two goalies hardly getting tested.
ZPC Kariba midfielder Pride Tafirenyika was the first to come close when he was felled just outside box in the 34th minute. He stepped up to take the free kick and shot narrowly wide.
ZPC Kariba then got the breakthrough two minutes later, and it again came from a free kick.
After Elvis Meleka was felled from an identical position to Tafirenyika’s previous foul on the edge of the box, Limited Chikafa and Munyanduri stood to take the kick.
Chikafa’s free kick was blocked by the Rhinos’ wall only for him to score on the rebound.
Rhinos’ day was to further worsen as they were one man down three minutes later after Wonder Kupinda retaliated to a challenge and was sent for an early shower.
With ZPC Kariba carrying a numerical advantage into the break, they furthered their lead five minutes into the second half when Dauda scored from the spot.
After a cluster of missed chances and near escapes for the homeside, Rhinos got their breakthrough in the 71st minute when ZPC Kariba’s Peter Muzondo handled in the box and Kurewa stepped up to convert the penalty.
After the match Chaminuka expressed satisfaction at the result, which in his own words, “ensured ZPC Kariba is safe from relegation.”
“I am very happy with the game, the result and the way my boys played. I think we jumped to 41 points and by my estimation we are safe from relegation.
His opposite number, Mathuthu was also satisfied with his team’s performance.
“Overally I am impressed with the way the boys played and came back into the match even with a man down.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better response and they showed character in the way they pilled in the pressure until we got the goal.
Teams:
ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, O. Mwerahari, P. Mazondo, D. Dauda, E. Mwinga, T. Munyanduri, E. Meleka, P. Tafirenyika, N. Mkwezaramba, L. Chikafa, T. Nyamandwe
Black Rhinos: S. Mafukidze, O. Gada, W. Chakanyuka, B. Homora, R. Machaya, D. Mbewe, L. Saramaya, S. Choenda, L. Chiwunga, W. Kapinda, M. Kurewa.
