CHAPUNGU . . . . . . . (0) 1 HARARE CITY . . . . . (1) 1
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
RODWELL Mhlanga rescued 10-man Chapungu from the jaws of a first home defeat to ensure a 1-1 draw against Harare City in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
Mhlanga cancelled Agrippa Murimba’s first half goal to ensure a share of spoils preserving the airmen’s unbeaten run at home. The host’s defence looked shaky in the absence of regular first choice centre-back Blessed Mbavarira, midfield anchorman Ngonidzashe Murisa, who were both suspended, and injured wingback Charles Mativenga.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino admitted that his charges were fortunate to get a point.
“I am disappointed with the performance. We were lucky to get a point from the game, but I am happy with the result. The absence of some key players who are injured and those serving suspension was felt,” said Nyikadzino.
Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi was disappointed that his charges missed the opportunity of being the first team to win at Ascot this season.
“I am very disappointed with the result, we were in control of the match and we should have won today (yesterday). We missed some chances which we were supposed to convert,” said Mawiwi. The visitors opened the scoring after 18 minutes Murimba deflected a William Manondo shot deceiving an exposed Roy Mazingi in goal for the army side.
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Six minutes latter Mazingi denied the visitors a second goal when he timeously got to the end of a Nathan Ziwini shot.
Maxwell Mavhuto found a space through the City defence but his shot was too weak to trouble Maxwell Nyamupanedengu in goal for the visitors.
Manondo then came face to face with Mazingi six minutes into the second half, but the agile goalie was alert to deny him the second goal.
With seven minutes before full time Chapungu was reduced to 10 men when Johnson Mabungu was given his matching orders for a second bookable offence.
Three minutes later with the match seemingly heading towards a first Chapungu home defeat Mhlanga capitalised on some poor marking by the City defence to head home the leveler from a Lawrence Mapuya cross.
