By Grace Chingoma
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Harare City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FOR the second week running, ZPC Kariba striker Artwell Nyamiwa rose from the bench to emerge as the hero with a late priceless goal as the hosts condemned Harare City to a third defeat in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Gwanzura yesterday.
The team currently without a home, which plays its home league matches at Gwanzura because its Nyamhunga stadium was not granted permission by the PSL to host Premiership games, is defying all the odds in their first season in the top-flight.
At this rate, said one fan yesterday, they are likely to be tempted to keep Harare as their home even if renovations at Nyamhunga are completed.
After all the majority of their players are from the capital and, playing at Gwanzura, feels very much like home.
Nyamiwa, the former Lengthens forward, last weekend struck deep in the added time against Dynamos to give his team a full set of points.
Yesterday, the veteran player, who has seen lot of action in Division One, ghosted from the blind side to head home a cross from Phillip Makanje in the 81st minute.
Television replays, though, appeared to have suggested that Nyamiwa could have strayed into an offside position just before Makanje lifted the ball into the area.
It didn’t matter at the end that the Kariba team finished with 10 players after Obey Mwerahari was given his marching orders by referee Josiah Masimira for a second bookable offence.
ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka said it is his strategy that the striker starts from the bench.
“I have known the player for quite some time and even his days at clubs such as Lengthens and I know his strength that he is one player who will make full impact when he comes into the match later.
“I am excited my team is coping well.
“When I look at the three games, we have players showing discipline and I think the team is where it is supposed to be.
“The spirit of the players is helping us at training there is harmony and everything is starting at home not in the pitch,” he said.
The former Buffaloes coach said they are looking at picking a lot of points early in the league race as they fear their players may succumb to the pressure of travelling long distances later in the season.
“Travelling is one area which is very difficult for us. The accumulating effects of these journeys will be felt later so it is better we play well and pick a lot of points now,” said Chaminuka.
While Chaminuka was happy with the second victory on the trot, in a very poor game that was a horrible advertisement for the Premiership, Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi is having a nightmare.
City have lost in all three league matches but Mawiwi remains adamant they will get it right.
“We have to regroup and focus on the next fixture. ZPC Kariba had a game plan and I told the players at half-time that they are hitting long balls and it is difficult with the way we play.
“We were also attacking a bit but we were not aggressive enough.
“Maybe the Bulawayo trip affected us. We didn’t have five of our regular players through injuries. We did well last year but it is a new season and it is a process and it takes time.
“Games are coming and the team will start gelling,” he said.
Their next game is against champions Dynamos.
Teams
ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, D. Dauda, D. Phiri, E. Mwinga, P. Makanje (T. Chikeda 82nd minute), T. Munyanduri, O. Mwerahari, P. Tafirenyika, R. Manuvire, T. Nyamandwe (D. Rediyoni 53rd minute), C. Masocha (A. Nyamiwa 53rd minute).
Harare City: M. Gonese, M. Diro, A. Chivheya, C. Dickson, D. Kutyauripo, T. Ngulube, W. Manondo (C. Muvuti 78th minute), B. Maglas (P. Bamusi 57th minute), O. Mukuradare (M. Mburayi 70th minute), J. Jam, T. Chawapiwa.
