Chapungu…….. (1)…3 ZPC Kariba…………..0
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
CHAPUNGU achieved what all the other teams in the Premier Soccer League had failed to do in the first 19 matches of this season when they handed ZPC Kariba their first defeat of the season after a 3-0 win at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
A brace from Brighton Mugoni and an own goal from Pardon Chinungwa sealed the famous victory.
The result means Highlanders’ 24 match unbeaten run record remains intact after the newly-promoted Kariba-based side was halted having managed 19 matches without a defeat.
While the airmen remain unbeaten at their home venue, yesterday’s result has catapulted them to position nine with 26 points.
Both teams had their head coaches absent attending a coaching course. After the match Chapungu’s Clement Mugari attributed the win to their good home record.
“It feels great to win, but it is one of those achievements we have always been making at home. We needed to start collecting points and the win has just left us in a very good position,” Mugari said.
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ZPC Kariba’s Tembo Chuma accepted the outcome of the game.
“It is part of football. They pressured our defence and got a result. It is a setback indeed, but we have to move on,” he said.
The stage for a heroic act was set minutes into the match when three planes of the Air Force of Zimbabwe had a fly-past at the venue in a diamond formation.
Chapungu controlled the tempo of the match from the outset and within the opening four minutes, Maxwell Mavhuto showed that they meant business with a powerful shot that was saved by Wilson Muchenje in goal for the visitors.
Thirty two minutes into the game Mugoni headed in Victor Bangira’s cross for the opening goal.
In the 53rd minute Tawanda Nyamandwe was unfortunate not to equalise for the visitors when his header crashed against the woodwork.
Three minutes later it was the hosts who celebrated when Pardon Chinungwa deflected Charles Murisa’s cross into his own net to further dampen his team chances of a comeback.
In the 65th minute Mugoni completed his brace when he turned Dexter Phiri inside out in the box before sending a low shot that beat Muchenje.
