The Sunday Mail
UPDATE: Makomborero Mutimukulu’s chat to the ZPC players after their sensational defeat of Dynamos FC
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
Dynamos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
ZPC KARIBA put one hand on the league title with a come from behind victory over Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League top-of-the-table clash at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The win, which came after Tsepo Ranthokoane and Limited Chikafa’s efforts cancelled out Anesu Gondo’s opener for DeMbare, took the Premiership new boys to the top of the log with 56 points two more than second placed Dynamos with one game remaining.
ZPC Kariba coach, Saul Chaminuka, showed his technical prowess with tactical switches that turned the game in his team’s favour after Gondo headed Dynamos into a sixth minute lead before limping off seconds later.
Chaminuka said despite falling to an early goal, he knew his charges would claw back and steal it right under their opponents’ watch.
“The title is now ours to lose, it has been a very long and turbulent journey but we have taken a very big step to wrapping it up now. Of course, we still have work to do against Caps United but the league is now ours to lose.
“The boys really did well and even when we were trailing their attitude showed me that we were going to find our way back into the game.
“You ought to give credit to these guys, it’s not easy to come from behind and beat Dynamos at this stage of the competition. But God has a plan for us this season,” said Chaminuka.
Kallisto Pasuwa’s decision to start with Gondo ahead of Rodrick Mutuma and Masimba Mambare ahead of Tafadzwa Rusike surprised many but the gamble appeared to work as the pair combined in fashioning the opening goal.
Gondo’s participation was unfortunately cut short as he injured himself in the process and made way for Mutuma.
Pasuwa’s decision to leave the gangly striker on the bench was vindicated as Mutuma fluffed a number of chances that could have given DeMbare a comfortable lead.
ZPC could have levelled matters as early as the 13th minute but Pride Tafirenyika’s header was expertly pushed back into play by Tatenda Mukuruva only for Trevor Chikede to blast it into the side netting with the teenage goalie at his mercy.
The champions responded swiftly with a counter which saw Mutuma surging into the box only to blaze his effort over the bar with just goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaungwa to beat.
Mambare was a constant threat on the right channel and released Mutuma in the 20th minute but the striker’s glory bound header was pushed over by Mateyaungwa.
Chaminuka’s second half talk coupled with the introduction of Ranthokoane gave the hosts the much needed impetus as they got into their groove after the restart with Tafirenyika, Chikede and Chikafa giving Dynamos a torrid time.
It was not long before they were back on level terms via a 58th speculative Ranthokoane shot which beat an out drawn Mukuruva.
Six minutes after the hour mark, Mateyaungwa made sure ZPC remained on level terms with arguably the best save of the match, off a powerful header by Simba Sithole.
With a draw set to give Dynamos the advantage going into the last match, ZPC pressed for a winner and it duly arrived in the 69th minute through Chikafa, who headed home a cross by Tawanda Nyamandwe.
Tafirenyika had a chance to further stretch the lead in the 76th minute but was denied by Mukuruva, who punched his first shot back into play before pushing the second one out for a corner.
Pasuwa mourned missed chances but said Dynamos will not throw in the towel.
“It’s unfortunate we failed to defend the early lead we got. We also had many chances to extend the lead but we missed a number of chances while they took theirs.
“We are, however, still in the race and we will fight to the end but maybe a draw would have given us a better chance going into the last match,” said Pasuwa, whose side faces How Mine in the last match of the season.
Teams:
ZPC Kariba: T Mateyaungwa, D Phiri, T Munyanduri, E Mwinga, T Chikede (M Makanje 85th), O Mwerahari (T Ranthokoane 47th), P Tafirenyika, T Nyamandwe, T Muzondo, L Chikafa (T Gonzo 92nd), D Dauda
Dynamos: T Mukuruva, B Moyo, A Mbara, T Ndlovu, O Mushure, S Alimenda (T Muparati 75th), T Magorimbo, R Chitiyo, S Sithole, A Gondo (R Mutuma 12th), M Mambare (T Rusike 65th)
