Unlucky Shabanie held
Shabanie ...................................0 Chapungu ..................................0
SHABANIE Mine coach Takesure Chiragwi is confident his team will get it right after a goalless draw against Chapungu in the Midlands derby at Maglas yesterday.
The Chinda Boys, who lost their away match to Ngezi Platinum last week, missed a number of chances yesterday in match they could have won with a wider margin had they been clinical in front of goal.
“We were very unfortunate. We created a number of chances but failed to score. We were on top of the situation for the entire 90 minutes.
“We still have to work very hard on the conversion part before we meet Dynamos next Sunday. It was a derby match and I was very pleased with the backing we got from our fans.
“Shabanie Mine will surprise a number of teams in the league but what is important is to keep on working hard, remain united and stage a big fight in the league so that we finish in a respectable position,” said Chiragwi.
Farai Mupasiri’s thunderous shot removed some paint from the crossbar with goalkeeper Talbert Shumba at the wrong side of the action and the rebound was cleared to safety.
Tafadzwa Chimoyo then missed a seater in the penalty box after he was fed by Lloyd Nyamande in the 22nd minute.
Then, there was a bees’ invasion which forced everyone on the pitch to take cover.
William Mapfumo, Mupasiri, Maziwisa, Collin Dhuwa, Nyasha Mpofu played well for the hosts while Xolisani Ncube, Ricky Bota, Blessed Mbavarira and Collen Zabula did well for the visitors.
Chapungu’s Tendai Chikuni was relieved to collect a point on his return to a club he coached last year.
“We played very well, we defended in numbers and since it was a local derby I am pleased.
“There is a lot of progress in the team and I just want the fans to keep on supporting the team. Everything will be fine and I am going to bring a lot of surprises,” he said.
TEAMS
Shabanie: S. Mafukidze, T. Chigede, W. Mapfumo,L. Nyamande, N. Mpofu, C. Makoto,C. Dhuwa, F. Mupasiri, N. Maziwisa (E. Phiri, 81st min), T. Chimoyo, (D. Chivandire, 86th min), M. Murimi (W. Taderera, 59th min).
Chapungu: T. Shumba, C. Kwaramba, R. Bota, C Zabula, B. Mbavarira, N. Murisa, T. Chitora (A Tavarwisa, 85th min), M. Muchangami, B. Mugoni, N. Papias, X. Ncube (I. Nyoni, 69th min) CAPS Saturday:
Ngezi Platinum ZPC Kariba Black Rhinos How Mine Highlanders FC Platinum Chicken Inn CAPS United Shabanie Mine Yadah Bulawayo City Triangle Hwange Dynamos Harare City Bantu Rovers Tsholotsho Chapungu FC
P 8 7 7 8 6 7 7 5 8 8 8 8 8 5 8 7 8 8 W 5 5 4 4 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 0 0 D 1 0 2 2 1 4 0 3 3 3 2 5 2 1 3 0 4 4 L 2 2 1 2 1 0 3 0 3 3 4 2 4 2 4 5 4 4 ZPC
F 10 10 7 6 9 6 9 9 3 5 6 5 5 4 2 12 4 3 A 4 5 2 5 5 3 4 4 5 10 9 6 9 4 5 17 7 10 Pts 16 15 14 14 13 13 12 9 9 9 8 8 8 7 6 6 4 4
Harare City ..............................0 Ngezi Platinum ....................(1) 1
NGEZI Platinum Stars coach Tonderai Ndiraya is enjoying the flying start they have made to the season after his side edged struggling hosts Harare City at Morris Depot yesterday to reclaim their place at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership log.
Qadr Amini scored the solitary goal of the match from the penalty spot 21 minutes into the game when referee Brighton Chimene ruled that Jimmy Tigere had fouled slippery forward Donald Teguru.
The decision, however, drew strong protests from the hosts.
“It’s been quite difficult for our team, our team is quite young and to stay at the summit for this long is quite an achievement for us. But we are not thinking about the log standings at the moment,” said Ndiraya.
“We are thinking about getting as many points as we can as the season progresses. We are not two-faced about where we are. I know the journey is still very long and the big teams are coming. But I am happy with what we have done so far.
“We have managed to hold our own and we look forward to the next matches and see what happens. We will just keep our focus, keep winning our games.’’
The penalty call, which looked harsh, came in Ngezi’s first real attack.
The goal swung the momentum in favour of the visitors with Tichaona Mabvura, Teguru and Terrence Dzvukamanja causing problems to the Harare City defence.
Walter Mukanga could have doubled Ngezi’s lead soon after the penalty but he could only direct a free header straight to the ‘keeper from a good cross by Mabvura on the left.
William Manondo’s ferocious shot came off the underside of the bar midway through the second half for the hosts.
Coach Mike Madzivanyika should be feeling the pressure after a third defeat in seven games which left them trapped in the bottom four.
“Obviously when you can’t win at home it becomes difficult. This is the second defeat playing at home and I’m not happy. I think it was a 50-50 game but these guys took their chances and we missed ours.
“We haven’t been scoring. It leaves us with a mountain to climb but we have to climb the mountain,” said Madzivanyika.
TEAMS
Harare City: M. Nyamupangedengu, E. Zinyama, J. Tigere, R. Uchena, E. Madhananga, P. Kabwe (T. Tumba, 56th min), L. Muyambo, W. Manondo, M. Gaki, P. Mpelele (H. Chimutimunzeve, 79th min), G. Kufandada (M. Vengesai, 46th min)
Ngezi Platinum: T. Mawaya, Q. Amini, P. Jaure, K. Murera, E. Tapera, W. Mukanga, L. Chakoroma, G. Murwira, T. Mabvura (M. Phiri, 67th min), D. Teguru (E. Mhungu, 75th min), T. Dzvukamanja (M. Charamba, 85th min).