The Sunday Mail
Dennis Kagonye IN KARIBA
ZPC Kariba………………………………..0
Chapungu………………………………..0
IT was a classic case good news and bad news for Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama at Nyamhunga yesterday.
On one hand, the 45-year-old saw his charges put up a four-star performance, in particular goal minder Hebert Rusawo, and hold ZPC Kariba to a goalless draw that maintain their near perfect away record during the 2019 Castle Lager Premiership season.
“Look, we did not play what I would call the perfect game, as we did not apply ourselves as much as I would have wanted, but at the end of the day we managed to gain a vital point.
“And we did so away from home, against a good side like ZPC Kariba.
“That said, I’m happy with the result, as the season is a marathon and every point counts,” Dhlakama said.
Unfortunately, Dhlakama is likely to rue the missed opportunity, especially after fellow Premiership pacesetters FC Platinum, Chicken Inn and CAPS United all dropped points yesterday.
Champion FC Platinum were held by fellow miners Ngezi Platinum, while the duo of CAPS United (1-3) and Chicken Inn (1-2) lost to Herentals and Harare City respectively.
Credit, however, belongs to Chapungu goal minder Rusawo who probably made the difference, as these surprise packages locked horns.
With chances few and far between, three opportunities stick out as Rusawo saved Chapungu from suffering their first away defeat of the season.
After a dull first half, ZPC speed merchant Sam Makawa thought he had found the opener, in the 48th minute, as he danced his way past the Chapungu defence, only to be denied by the sole of Rusawo’s foot who cleared the ball from the line.
Ten minutes later, Simbarashe Gorogodgo was denied from point blank range, before Makawa’s shot hit the upright after Rusawo did some fine work in closing him down.
This is not say that Chapungu was on the receiving end throughout the match.
In fact, the best chance of the game came in the closing minutes of the match, as Chapungu substitute Eddington Murape’s header missed the ZPC Kariba goal by inches.
Like his compatriot, ZPC head coach Godfrey Tamirepi seemed satisfied with a share of the spoils.
“Having lost to Highlanders, last week, this was a good come back for us, “said Tamirepi.
“We played a team in form, and we created more chances and could have won it.
“I don’t have that many complaints, but I think we need to up our game, and convert more chances that come our way,” he said.
