Mhofu through to semis

By Grace Chingoma

ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3
How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

SUNDAY Chidzambwa’s influence at ZPC Kariba is gradually being felt and yesterday the veteran gaffer inspired his team into the semi-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup where they will meet Harare City.

The Kariba side, who have been improving with each outing, made light work of How Mine at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

A brace from midfielder Raphael Manuvire in the 41st minute and 54th minute and a goal by Protasho Kabwe in the 26th minute was all ZPC Kariba needed in a match they dominated and could have won by a bigger margin had they been more clinical in front of goal. Such is the confidence in the ZPC Kariba camp that Chidzambwa even said he was ready to meet any team in the last four ahead of the draw.

“If we are to get to the final we have to beat whoever we are drawn against in the semi-final so it doesn’t matter who we are drawn against,” he said. The coach, who believes in a team that values defence, employed a formation with five defenders — Stephen Sheshe, Sylvester Appiah, Dennis Dauda, Dexter Phiri and Thomas Sweswe.

“We have been working hard all along and it is now paying off,” said Chidzambwa. “It’s team work, I think at ZPC we don’t depend on one individual player, we play as a team.

“You can see that at the back we are not conceding goals and we are scoring although we are missing a few chances. “If you believe in a certain system it entirely depends with the kind of players you have. The kind of players we have fit in very well in the 3-5-2 formation because we haven’t got very talented wide midfielders who can take on defenders and put in those crosses but our full-backs can, so that is why we are sticking to this formation.

“But we change at home, we don’t play this formation, we play with wingers, we play 4-4-2, it is an attacking formation but when you are away you play defensively, you have to be cautious and produce good results.”

The veteran gaffer said he was now shifting focus to the league programme where they still have a big mountain to climb as they battle against relegation.

“We are still glued in the bottom six, we badly need those points to climb up the ladder,” he said. How Mine caretaker coach Jeremiah Makota, who was elevated to the hot seat following the departure of Luke Masomere, said it was unfortunate that their dance in the Chibuku Super Cup ended like this. He said he was now focusing on the league programme where he has to try and rescue a campaign which has terribly gone wrong.

“I know we will get it right, we haven’t been playing well. Today (yesterday) we were under some pressure as it was a Cup game and it was also the first match I was in charge.

“We were testing one or two things hoping that in the next league game we will get it right. “We just want to play and win matches, we are in the relegation zone and our aim now is to avoid relegation, finishing in the top eight would be a bonus.

“It is possible to do well in the remaining matches as we have a very good pool of players, experienced and young players, so we just need to come up with a good mixture,” he said.

Teams

ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, S. Sheshe, S. Appiah, D. Dauda, D. Phiri, T. Sweswe (T. Munyanduri 77th min), T. Magorimbo, P. Kabwe (S. Makana 81st min), R. Manuvire, L. Chikafa, L. Fiyado.

How Mine: N. Dube, T. Kumbuyani, M. Gutu, G. Banda, N. Tachi, D. Chafa (H. Masuku 66th min), M. Mupera, T. January, G. Nguwodzawo, W. Sithole (B. Marere 56th min), T. Muparati (K. Muharu 48th min). The Herald