ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . (0) 1 HWANGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Substitute Never Tigere scored from a spectacular free kick to help ZPC Kariba sink Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.
BY NUNURAI JENA
A 47th minute double substitution by ZPC Kariba coach Sunday Chidzambwa paid dividends, with Tigere and Tineyi Chatora combining to bring life to the game in the second half after a nervy opening littered by missed chances.
ZPC could have taken the lead as early as the 12th minute when Limited Chikafa’s weak shot was somehow deflected towards goal by Hwange defender Munyaradzi Mungadze, but his keeper Future Sibanda reacted quickly and dived full length to parry the ball for a corner.
ZPC were unlucky again in the 24th minute when Hwange defender David Boriwondo cleared the ball off the line, silencing the ZPC supporters’ celebrations after another Chikafa attempt at goal.
The first half continued with both teams missing chance after chance.
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Then came the pep talk at half time and the introduction of substitutes, which completely changed the complexion of the game.
In one of the raids, Chikafa was fouled on the edge of the Hwange penalty area in the 71st minute.
Up stepped Tigere, who unleashed a shot past a bemused Hwange keeper Sibanda.
Hwange coach, Mebelo Njekwa said his players were affected by fatigue, but said they would continue fighting.
“Fatigue affected my players in the early stages of the game, but otherwise we played well, save for that of lapse in concentration when that free kick was taken,” he said
Chidzambwa was full of praises for his players.
“They did well considering that the game was difficult and tight and the Hwange defence was well organised,” he said.
Teams ZPC Kariba: T Mawaya, S Appiah, T Nyamande, D Phiri, T Munyanduri, E Meleka (NTigere 47’) L Zvasiya, D Chakupe (G Mangani 88’), T Mahori (T Chitora 47’), T Chawapihwa, L Chikafa
Hwange: F Sibanda, T Sibelo (F Vimisayi 88’), G Ndlovu, D Boriwondo, M Mungadze, O Moyo, A Chuma, P Mpelele (I Mucheneke 18’), C Muleya, G Mbweti, P Zimunya (N Sianchali 84’)
