Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino
Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Bulawayo City 1-1 Chapungu
BULAWAYO City blew a golden opportunity to move into the top eight of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after their backline went to sleep, allowing Chapungu to snatch a point at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. City surged ahead in the 54th minute through a penalty converted by captain Xolisani Moyo. However, the hosts’ lead only lasted 11 minutes as they were caught on a counter attack.
The build-up to the City penalty was impressive. Moyo sent a long pass to Manuel Mandiranga on the right wing and he cut in, opening space for right-back Morris Kadzola to overlap.
Just as Chapungu’s left-back Jameson Mukombwe thought Kadzola was going to flight a cross, the City right-back pushed the ball into the penalty box, outpacing his marker who hacked him down, leaving referee Allan Bhasvi no option but to point to the spot.
Moyo stepped up and sent Chapungu goalkeeper Talbert Shumba the wrong way with a well taken penalty. However, the goal did not deter Chapungu, who had wasted countless first half scoring opportunities.
City were caught on a counter attack soon after Brighton Dube replaced Kadzola and had his pass intended for Mkhokheli Dube intercepted by Gift Phiri, who quickly released the ball to Allen Tavariswa.
The Chapungu striker sent a through ball to Xolani Ncube on the right side and he beat City’s left back Terrence Majo before squaring a pass to striker Phillip Marufu, who had the easiest task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
City’s coach Philani Ncube blamed the goal on a defensive lapse by his players after surviving numerous Chapungu raids in the first half.
“I’m a bit disappointed because we conceded a few minutes after taking the lead. Defensively we weren’t okay in terms of organisation and offensively we lacked the killer instinct. Otherwise a point is okay even though we wanted a win,” said Ncube.
City wasted two glorious scoring chances a minute before halftime when Mandiranga blazed his effort over the bar after being fed by Innocent Kutsanzira. On the stroke of halftime, Kutsanzira was denied by the upright after being set up by Dube.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino, whose charges took turns to miss sitters in the first half, was happy with a point on his second successive visit to Bulawayo. Last week his side lost 0-1 to Highlanders at the same venue and just like yesterday, they conceded from the penalty spot.
“I’m happy with a point, but a bit disappointed that we seem to be a bit careless at the back where we’re conceding penalties. I’ve to go back and work on my defenders, but I’m happy that my boys showed character, coming from the Highlanders defeat and today even when we were down we never lost shape. Hopefully we’ll get it right in our next game against Ngezi Platinum,” said Nyikadzino.
Teams
Bulawayo City: Ndodana Sibanda, Morris Kadzola (Brighton Dube, 59th minute), Terrence Majo, Nyasha Mukumbi, Zibusiso Sibanda, Xolisani Moyo, Innocent Kutsanzira, Eddie Nkulungo (Makhosi Ncube, 75th minute), Brian Chikwenya, Manuel Mandiranga (Trevor Ndlovu, 75th minute), Mkhokheli Dube
Unused Substitutes: Archford katsande, Mthulisi Maphosa, Bothwell Nyathi, Sipho Ndlovu
Chapungu: Talbert Shumba, Jameson Mukombwe, Hillary Mugoniwa, Blessed Mbavaira, Blessing Zabula, Tafadzwa Mombeshora (Ngonidzashe Murisa, 15th minute; Cleopas Kapupurika, 77th minute), William Ngonye, Gift Phiri, Xolani Ncube, Rodwell Mhlanga (Allen Tavariswa, 63rd minute), Phillip Marufu
Unused Substitutes: Sheppard Maradzamunda, Charles Mativenga, Moendah Muchangami, Roy Mazingi
Results
Friday: Chicken Inn 1-2 Triangle United
Saturday: How Mine 2-1 Caps United, Harare City 0-1 Tsholotsho FC, Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-4 Highlanders, ZPC Kariba 2-0 Mutare City Rovers
Sunday: Border Strikers 0-1 Hwange, Bulawayo City 1-1 Chapungu, Dynamos 0-1 FC Platinum