John Nyikadzino
Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
Chapungu 2-1 Tsholotsho
A 10-man Chapungu outfit flew past Tsholotsho with goals by Tinei Chitora and Patrick Khumbula either side of the break ensuring maximum points for the hosts in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
Iziqholo ZeZhwane’s goal came from a 46th minute penalty converted by William Sithima after a crude lunge on Nixon Gama by Collen Kwaramba. The reckless challenge earned the Chapungu defender a straight red card.
Chapungu’s first goal came in the 22nd minute in their first real chance of the match when Hillary Mugoniwa’s long searching pass found Chitora, who controlled the ball inside the box before firing past stranded Tsholotsho goalkeeper Nickel Marichi.
Tsholotsho were unlucky not to restore parity 10 minutes later when Maclive Phiri’s cross was headed just inches wide by Gama.
The second half opened with Tsholotsho threatening and they were awarded a penalty a minute into the half following Kwaramba’s crude tackle. Sitima stepped up and sent Chapungu keeper Roy Mazingi the wrong way.
Despite the equaliser and one-man advantage, Tsholotsho never really pressured their opponents, and instead waited for the hosts to attack them.
With the Zhwane Boys sitting at the back, Chapungu introduced two strikers, Khumbula for Allen Tavarwisa in the 64th and Maxwell Mavuto for Xolani Ncube 10 minutes later to add impetus to their attack.
Khumbula’s introduction bore fruits in the 68th minute when he received a pass from the right flank and shrugged off a challenge before firing past a diving Marichi to restore the airmen’s lead.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino paid tribute to his charges for their gallant fight despite being a man down.
“I’m happy with the performance of my boys considering that we played the entire second half with 10 men. This is a good result for us and it augurs well with our objective of finishing in the top eight,” said Nyikadzino.
His Tsholotsho counterpart Lizwe Sweswe lamented the loss saying his charges should have fought for at least a point.
“We wanted at least a point but unfortunately we failed. We’re in the relegation zone and we have to pick points in every game we play and not rely on what other teams are doing,” Sweswe said.