HARARE CITY . . . . . . (2) 2 ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . .(1) 1 HARARE City recorded their second win of the 2015 Premier Soccer League season at Rufaro Stadium yesterday after overcoming ZPC Kariba, thanks to two quick goals in the match by William Manondo and Tinotenda Kadewere.
BY HENRY MHARA
Manondo put the hosts in front eight minutes into the game before teenage sensation Kadewere doubled the lead two minutes later.
The visitors pulled one back in the 34th minute, but despite pressing for the equaliser for the remainder of the match, City managed to hold on for maximum points.
The win ensured City, now on 12 points, kept themselves within touching distance of the leading pack, while Kariba, with their 10 points, might slowly be losing sight of the leaders.
Yesterday’s defeat was their second in eight matches, a slump in performance for the team who had not lost a match at this point last term.
Harare City coach Taurai Mangwiro was pleased that his side managed to recover from the weekend’s defeat away to Triangle and is demanding more consistency from his players going forward.
“It was a gruelling encounter like I had correctly predicted. It was difficult for us to defend the slender lead, because had we built on the two-goal lead, it could have been a comfortable victory, but once they scored a goal, it was hard for us. But I still want to think we posed more danger than them afterwards. We had more clear opportunities than them,” Mangwiro said.
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He added: “We are in the right track and if there is anything we want at this juncture is consistency. And if we can go to Bulawayo in our next match and collect maximum points, we will be right back on track.”
ZPC Kariba assistant coach Godfrey Tamirepi said while their start to the season was not good compared to last year, they were yet to press panic batons.
“Credit to Harare City for the victory. They took their chances unlike ourselves. We started sluggishly and we got punished for it,” Tamirepi said.
“After we conceded the two goals, I think we controlled the rest of the half, but again at the start of the second half, we began to lose possession unnecessarily. Thus we couldn’t create enough scoring opportunities,” he added.
Harare City came into the match hard-pressed to win after the weekend’s defeat and they made their intentions early on with some good attacking play.
They were rewarded for their early endeavour as Manondo exchanged passes with Talent Chawapiwa before the former slotted past Kariba keeper Tapiwa Zvaita.
Some City supporters were still celebrating the opener when the talented Kadewere beat his marker to add the second one as the host threatened to tear apart their opponent.
The early deficit forced the visitors out of their shells as they began to make raids in the opposition half.
On the 20th minute, the Saul Chaminika-coached side had a genuine shout for a penalty when Tsepo Ranthokwane’s goal-bound shot appeared to hit City defender Themba Ndlovu’s hand, but the referee waved play on.
Kariba were forced to change their game plan moments later when Sylvester Appiah hobbled off the pitch injured on 24 minutes and was replaced by Philip Makanje.
Despite that setback, they continued to look for the goal which duly arrived just after the hour mark when Nyamandwe fired home from inside the box.
Chaminuka made another change to his personnel with five minutes remaining in the first half, but it was a tactical move this time around as he introduced striker Pride Tafirenyika for defender Stephen Sheshe.
Kariba showed more determination early in the second half, but it was City who almost increased their goal tally when Benson Maglasi was allowed too much space in the box which the winger blazed over.
City defender Crispen Dickson’s shot from a corner minutes later needed a double save from Zvaita and on the other end the hosts’ keeper Tafadzwa Dube saved well a header by Ranthokwane.
Kariba continued to control possession, but it was City who looked the likeliest to score next with Kadewere hitting the crossbar on 83rd minute before Manondo managed to isolate a defender on a break deep in injury time but blasted his shot wide and high.
Teams Harare City: T Dube, M Dironyenye, A Chivheya, T Ndlovu, C Dickson, T Samanja, J Jam, B Maglasi (R Uchena, 61’), T Chawapiwa (G Chimwemwe, 75’),W Manondo, T Kadewere (H Chimutimunzeve, 84’) ZPC Kariba: T Zvaita, S Sheshe (P Tafirenyika, 40’), D Phiri (S Makawa, 51’), S Appiah (P Makanje, 24’), G Magariro, D Dauda, T Munyanduri, B Mutukure, T Nyamandwe, R Manuvire, T Ranthokwane.
