Drama as ZPC, DeMbare draw

15 Sep, 2019 - 00:09 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda in KARIBA

ZPC Kariba 1

Dynamos 1

THERE were two penalties, a red card, plus a 16-minute stoppage time in a drama filled contest that left ZPC Kariba on top of the log while 10-men Dynamos also extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

Evans Katema scored a penalty in the 65th minute.

lt turned out to be a hotly contested one, which saw play being stopped for 16 minutes as the home fans threw missiles onto the pitch, protesting against Harare referee Washington Chari’s decision to penalise ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Tendai Hove for a foul on Nigel Katawa.

Although ZPC Kariba coach Godfrey Tamirepi conceded in his post-match views that it was indeed a penalty, his players would have none of it.

Tsepo Ranthokoane had to be restrained from attacking the assistant referee as chaos reigned supreme under the searing heat of Kariba.

James Marufu then denied his former side what would have been a historical victory when he headed home a Nigel Makumbe corner in the 94th minute.

ZPC could have wrapped it up in the 100th minute but Ian Nekati, fresh from a massive midweek debut show for the Warriors, had his penalty saved by an alert Simba Chinani after Tinotenda Muringai was adjudged to have handled the ball.

That incident came six minutes after Dynamos centre back Jimmy Tigere had been shown a straight red card for a crude challenge on ZPC’s exciting substitute, Samuel Makawa.

With that point, the hosts regained pole position with 40 points after Chicken Inn were stunned 2-0 at home by Manica Diamonds.

DeMbare are sixth with 34 points after 23 rounds of action.

But there was something more to this ZPC side than the much-talked about weather advantage.

Tamirepi’s boys showed great character in the second half.

Yesterday’s performance reminded Kariba fans of the 2014 stellar ZPC class that nearly won the league title under Saul Chaminuka.

They could have scored more than three goals in a high-tempo second half with Makumbe, Tawanda Nyamandwe, and Collen Muleya all hitting the post at different intervals.

However, ZPC coach Tamirepi, who took a dig at Dynamos’ style of play, wants his boys to take it one game at a time.

“These guys (Dynamos), like last time in the reverse fixture, they never came to play football.

We played well in the second half but we wasted numerous chances. Credit to their keeper, he saved the penalty.

“As for the title, it’s one game at a time. We are moving in the right direction. The title issue is not what we discussed at the start of the season.

“On the penalty issue, that was not controversial at all, that was a clear penalty, my keeper retaliated stupidly,” Tamirepi said.

Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya, who has now guided the Mbare side to 11 games without a defeat, also heaped praises on ZPC but thinks it is still too early to talk about which teams are favourites for the title.

However, Ndiraya questioned ZPC’s penalty and Tigere’s red card.

“We were on the back foot after that red card, which I think wasn’t justified. A yellow card was going to be sufficient.

“Playing a man down against ZPC Kariba becomes difficult, but credit to the boys, they fought for the point. We were not in a good physical condition.

“I thought the last one wasn’t a penalty, credit to Chinani for saving it. It’s difficult to come here and get a point, like I said you are playing against the distance.

I think ZPC Kariba have done well given that they have travelled long distances every two weeks,” said Ndiraya.

Ndiraya said he will only start talking about the title once his team wins three games on the trot.

But ZPC look like they are slowly shaping into a genuine title contender that is riding on home advantage.

This season they are unbeaten at home and have only lost once at Nyamhunga in the last 21 games.

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