Zimpapers Logo

Munyaradzi Musiiwa in GWERU
Chapungu………………………..(0) 1
Shabanie………………………….(1) 1
CHAPUNGU were forced to come from behind to earn a point against Shabanie Mine in a lacklustre Castle Lager Premiership tie at Ascot yesterday.
The visitors made their presence felt in the 15th minute when Louis Matawu made a fine run on the left flank before squaring for an unmarked Carlos Messi in the box whose shot hit the post.

However, Chapungu, who were without key striker Rodwell Mhlanga, who was sent off against Dynamos on Thursday, also came close to scoring when Talent Mwale’s long range shot was tipped over the bar by Shabanie ‘keeper Victor Twaliki.

He had received a fine pass from Farai Manase.
The hosts kept on mounting the pressure on the asbestos miners and almost scored through Manase who burst into the box but failed to beat the ‘keeper in a one-on-one scenario in the 33rd minute.

However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Talbott Mtombeni fired home a rebound into the roof of the net after Douglas Sibanda’s free-kick, from just outside the box, was blocked by Blessed Mbavarira.

Shabanie Mine took a firm grip on the game and came close to doubling their advantage after the break when Zvikomborero Bizeki’s diving header just missed the target after he got to the end of a fine cross from Nelson Merson in the 62nd minute.

The hosts finally got a relief when they leveled proceedings in the 82nd minute when the Shabanie ‘keeper failed to cut second-half substitute Gift Phiri’s cross leaving Hillary Mugoniwa with an easy task to tap the ball into an empty net. Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said his side was punished for some poor defending as well as failing to hold on to the ball.

“We had a disappointing start and we failed to utilise our chances in the first half. We were also punished by the visitors after we failed to clear the ball out of danger,” said Nyikadzino.

“However, we changed the strategy in the second half and we came back into the game and managed to force a draw.” Chapungu are yet to lose at home. Shabanie gaffer, John Phiri, said he was impressed by his team’s performance on the road.

“This is our first point away from home and we are very happy with the result. This is our starting point and we hope that we are going to continue getting points away from home,” he said.

Teams
Chapungu: U. Alexander, J. Mabugu, C. Murisa, C. Kwaramba, B. Mbavarira, N. Murisa, M. Mavuto, T. Mwale (G. Phiri 55th min), V. Bangira (Chisambi 75th min), C. Maheya, M.  Manase (H. Mugoniwa 46th min)
Shabanie Mine: V. Twaliki, G. Murwira, N. Merson, S. Muchabayiwa, R. Mware, D. Sibanda, T. Mtombeni (E. Tsoro 46th min), Z. Bizeki, C. Messi (M. Mageja 75th min), A. Tavarwisa, L. Matawu