By Ishemunyoro Chingwere in KARIBA
ZPC Kariba (0) 2……. (1) 1 Caps United
ZPC KARIBA came back from behind to hand Lloyd Chitembwe his first defeat in charge of Caps United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played in scorching heat at Nyamhunga on Saturday.
Talented midfielder Raphael Manuvire scored from the spot in the second half before setting up centre back Sylvester Appiah to cancel out Joel “Josta” Ngodzo’s first half goal.
The blazing heat forced Harare referee Norman Matemera to call for two water breaks in both stanzas.
The win saw Sunday Chidzambwa’s electricians jump to 10th position on the log while Caps United remained on fifth.
Chidzambwa, whose team is on a mission to survive the chop, said he now wanted at least two wins to be guaranteed safety.
“I am happy we got the three points we wanted.
Coming from behind in such a high profile match was a show of character and if we can replicate this performance in future then we will survive,” said Chidzambwa in his post match comment.
The visitors threatened to run away with the three points with a sublime first half performance.
Caps United scored the opener in the 28th minute courtesy of a brilliant Ngodzo strike, only three minutes after the first water break.
The revived former Highlanders linkman scored with a beautiful side volley from a Phineas Bamusi cross after some fine work in the middle of the park by holding midfielder Dominic Mukandi.
Makepekepe were all over the show, with the midfield quartet of Mukandi, Moses Muchenje, Bamusi and Ngodzo pulling the strings.
United could have doubled the lead in the 42nd minute when veteran striker Leonard Tsipa beat two markers before sending in a fine cross but diminutive winger Bamusi could not connect.
ZPC Kariba came back from the oranges a much more determined side, especially after Chidzambwa introduced Russel Madamombe and Tawanda Nyamandwe for Limited Chikafa and Thomas Magorimbo respectively.
They duly got the equalizer in the 61st minute through a Manuvire penalty after Justice Jangano had handled in the box.
Referee Matemera was spot on.
Madamombe and Nyamandwe turned the tide of the game and with the rising temperature, Caps United were slowly melting.
It was not long before ZPC Kariba shot into the front as Ghanaian import Appiah rose to head home a Manuvire corner kick after 67 minutes of play.
Chitembwe responded by bringing on Makepekepe’s leading scorer Dominic Chungwa and Equatorial Guinea import Tony just after the second water break.
The highly rated Tony missed a golden opportunity to equalize with nine minutes left when he failed to tap in a cross from Zvirekwi.
A revived Ngodzo let fly a stinger from outside the box but Tendai Hove did well to push it over with four minutes remaining on the clock.
Even in defeat, Chitembwe praised his charges.
“I am not disappointed, why should I, especially after such an almost near perfect performance. We were just unfortunate to concede those goals.
“I have always said we aren’t chasing any position, but rather aiming at improving the team,” he said.
Teams
ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, S. Sheshe, D. Phiri, D. Dauda, B. Mukuture, S. Appiah, P. Kabwe, P. Tafirenyika (T. Rantokoane 84’), R. Manuvire, L. Chikafa (R. Madamombe 61’), T. Magorimbo (T. Nyamandwe 60’)
Caps United: J.Muchambo, H. Zvirekwi, J. Jangano, C. Munzabwa, S. Makatuka, D. Mukandi, M. Muchenje, J. Ngdzo, B. Zvikomborero (D. Chungwa 73’), P. Bamusi (Tony 73’), L. Tsipa (C. Machisi 92’). The Sunday Mail
