ZPC power to the top

12 Oct, 2014 - 09:10 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) (1)
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) (0)

ZPC KARIBA reclaimed top spot in scrappy fashion at Gwanzura yesterday but coach Saul Chaminuka still insisted his side is not thinking of winning the Castle Premier Soccer League crown in their debut season.

A fluke goal by man of the match Pride Tafirenyika at the end of the first half saw the stubborn Premiership debutants eclipse defending champions Dynamos at the top of the log standings.

The Kariba-based side , who missed the services of consistent goalkeeper Tendai Hove due to injury, now enjoy a point advantage over DeMbare, who face Moses Chunga’s Buffaloes at Sakubva this afternoon.

As has become his style, Chaminuka was playing mind games in his post match interview.

“I am very excited about the result, my aim is a top four finish because I want my boys to play in the Mbada Diamonds Cup and get some dollars.

“I do not always want to talk about the referees but today they did not protect my players.

“In one incident, the referee booked Tafirenyika for diving when it was clear he was pulled down and he will now miss our next game,” he said.

The industrious Tafirenyika will miss the trip to red hot FC Platinum.

On the other hand, Triangle, who could not build up on last week’s magnificent victory over Dynamos in the OneWallet Cup final, remain 12th, just above the murky waters as Black Rhinos also faltered at Chicken Inn.

ZPC Kariba were not at their best yesterday and had Lady Luck to thank as Triangle’s substitute defender Jimmy Dzingai’s attempted clearance inside the box ricocheted off Tafirenyika to beat an off guard Ronald Mudimu after 44 minutes of play.

That goal marked the only notable incident in a dull first half that was characterised by some hard tackles and a couple of close free kicks from Triangle right back Praise Tonha.

The former Monomotapa player, who is slowly developing a knack of packing powerful free kicks, almost equalised 20 minutes into the second half but his drive was tipped for a corner by ZPC Kariba’s stand-in keeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.

That was all Biggie Zuze’s boys could showcase as the Lowveld side looked lethargic, probably suffering from the One Wallet Cup hangover.

Zuze admitted it was time his team started picking up points.

“The boys tried their best but I guess it was just not our day. Morale has been high in camp since that cup victory but today the result did not come our way.

“We now need to avoid losing any points in our last five games and I am confident we can survive,” said Zuze whose next assignment is at home against Caps United.

Zuze was forced to make two injury-inspired substitutions with left back Meson Nelson going off as early as the 12th minute before defensive linkman Charles Makoto limped off after the restart.

Teams

ZPC Kariba: T. Mateyaunga, O. Mwerahari, D. Phiri, E. Mwinga, D. Dauda, T. Munyanduri, E. Meleka (M. Makanje 80th), P. Tafirenyika, T. Gonzo, L. Chikafa, T. Nyamandwe

Triangle: R. Mudimu, P. Tonha, N. Menson(J. Dzingai 12th), C. Ngondonga, W. Mapfumo, C. Makoto (C. Rukwanhi), C. Kamhapa, T. Chipunza, D. Courage (L. Nhamo 65th), H. Bakacheza, F. Kuswatuka

guess it was just not our day. Morale has been high in camp since that cup victory but today the result did not come our way.

“We now need to avoid losing any points in our last five games and I am confident we can survive,” said Zuze whose next assignment is at home against Caps United.Zuze was forced to make two injury-inspired substitutions with left back Meson Nelson going off as early as the 12th minute before defensive linkman Charles Makoto limped off after the restart.

Teams

ZPC Kariba: T. Mateyaunga, O. Mwerahari, D. Phiri, E. Mwinga, D. Dauda, T. Munyanduri, E. Meleka (M. Makanje 80th), P. Tafirenyika, T. Gonzo, L. Chikafa, T. Nyamandwe

Triangle: R. Mudimu, P. Tonha, N. Menson(J. Dzingai 12th), C. Ngondonga, W. Mapfumo, C. Makoto (C. Rukwanhi), C. Kamhapa, T. Chipunza, D. Courage (L. Nhamo 65th), H. Bakacheza, F. Kuswatuka

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