The Sunday Mail
Dennis Kagonye in KARIBA
ZPC Kariba………………………..2
Chicken Inn………………………1
Title aspirants Chicken Inn don’t look like championship material at the moment.
With eight points out of a possible 15, two points from the last five matches and trailing behind log leaders FC Platinum by two points; the Bulawayo-based team does not look convincing.
They seem to be dropping points at a time when they should be collecting them to put pressure on the defending champions.
But that trend continued yesterday.
This time around, the 2019 league surprise package – ZPC Kariba – beat them 2-1 at Nyamhunga. On the quarter hour mark, Oberiel Chirinda was sent for an early shower by referee Ruzive Ruzive after an open foot challenge on James Marufu.
ZPC utilised the numerical advantage as Tawanda Nyamandwe put his name on the score sheet after heading in a Ian Nekati header in the 37th minute.
Four minutes later, Simbarashe Gorogodyo increased the hosts’ lead by tapping in a Nyamandwe cross. From that point on, Chicken Inn were playing catch up. They got a goal back in the 71st minute, courtesy of red hot striker and golden boot favourite Clive Augusto. The game ended with 10 men on each side as Talent Chamboko was given his marching orders during injury time for roughing up Passmore Bernard.
After the match, ZPC Kariba coach Godfrey Tamirepi expressed relief at how his charges handled themselves. He said they had avenged the loss they endured in a match against Chicken Inn in the reverse fixture.
“It was a good match and a good result for us,” said Tamirepi.“When we played them last time, we lost 3-1 and gave away three points. So it was nice to come back at them stronger.“The trick is to keep working hard and keep getting those points.
“This time around, the competition in the second half of the season is going to be tougher. Some teams are fighting for the championships while others are fighting for survival,” he said. His opposite number, Joey Antipas, was disappointed.“It was a game of two halves, with ZPC Kariba dominating the first while we came back stronger in the second. “Unfortunately, we lost it all in the first half due to defensive errors. Quite frankly, I don’t expect that from senior players. “It cost us, and coming back from something like was difficult with only ten men,” he said.
In the other matches yesterday, Yadah FC coach Genessi Mamombe is confident that his side will survive relegation, despite going for five matches without a win.
Yadah were held 0-0 by Hwange and they sit second from bottom on the log, with 15 points from 17 matches.
Elsewhere, Bulawayo Chiefs and Chapungu drew 1-1 at Leveve, with Isaac Badu (Bulawayo Chiefs) and Emmanuel Chitauro finding the target. There was a 1-1 deadlock too at Ascot, between TelOne and Herentals where King Nadolo scored for the hosts and Simbarashe Gondo was on target for Herentals.
It was the first time newboys TelOne were using Ascot after it was cleared by ZIFA
Results
ZPC Kariba 2-1 Chicken Inn
Highlanders 1-0 Black Rhinos
TelOne 1-1 Herentals
Yadah 0-0 Hwange
Bulawayo Chiefs 1-1 Chapungu
