BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . (0)
ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
BULAWAYO Chiefs failed to replicate the stellar performance they put up against Highlanders in the Chibuku Super Cup last week when they were held to a goalless draw by ZPC Kariba in a lacklustre league match at Luveve Stadium yesterday..
Once again, Bulawayo Chiefs finished with 10 players after Ben Nyahunzvi was given a straight red card in the 63rd minute for a foul on substitute Salif Cheya, who looked set to thrust the visitors into the lead before Nyahunzvi tripped him as he went for the kill.
Referee Owen Manende awarded ZPC a freekick at the edge of the box, which they wasted.
Chiefs coach Johannes Nhumwa was left concerned as yet another defender was red carded in their second consecutive game.
"I am worried about that. We need to iron it out, it's like we are clumsy at times. It is all about the way they move in the defensive area. So it needs to be remedied as quickly as possible," said Nhumwa, who saw Kimjoe Sibanda receiving his marching orders last week.
The first half was a big yawn with the game lacking fluency from both sides.
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Chiefs lost skipper Malvern Mkolo to an injury with Nyahunzvi replacing him after 20 minutes,
ZPC should have gone to the break leading but Moses Demera's glancing header scraped some paint off the woodwork with Khulekani Dube rooted to the spot.
The second half was a much improved affair, although the game continued to have too many stoppages.
The best chance for Chiefs fell to Chirinda in the 72 minute when his shot, struck with venom, hit the underside of the crossbar before bouncing back into play.
The PSL top goal scorer had taken matters into his own hands, dribbling past a cluster of defenders before firing at goal.
ZPC failed to break down the Chiefs rear-guard, albeit enjoying a player advantage.
The ZPC coach Luke Masomere was satisfied with the point gained.
"It’s very difficult sometimes to play a team that is one man down.
“Sometimes you lose playing against nine players, but I think we played well," said Masomere.
Bulawayo Chiefs
K Dube, K Sibanda, M Msebe, A Ncube (D Nyamdlambanje 70), O Chirinda, M Mkolo (B Nyahunzvi 22), D Phiri, S Chimanikire, F Moyo, M Hativagoni, F Matare (B Vheremu 70)
ZPC Kariba
H Makaingwana, B Mutukure, I Nekati, M Mukiwa, T Pio (N Chipunza 79'), EFerembe (F Shoko 46'), C Muleya, M Demera, F Dhemere (R Manuvire 79'), S Makawa (T Mahori 89')
Other results
Cranborne Bullets 1 – 1 FC Platinum
Simba Bhora 0 – 1 Chicken Inn
