ZPC stun Chicken Inn

ZPC Kariba 1 - 0 Chicken Inn
ZPC KARIBA secured maximum points over defending champions Chicken Inn but the home side was left sweating over midfield ace Wisdom Mutasa following an absorbing Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash at Nyamhunga yesterday.

Mutasa came in as an 85th minute substitute, replacing goal scorer Tinei Chitora, but the Young Warriors skipper only lasted less than a minute on the park.

He came out the worst for wear following a collision with Chicken Inn goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze. Chipezeze is also suspected to have dislocated his shoulder in the tussle.

ZPC Kariba were still awaiting results of an initial test conducted at Kariba hospital by the time of going to print. Head coach Sunday "Mhofu" Chidzambwa sounded depressed when he spoke to this publication over the phone.

"Right now I do not know how bad it is, it is sad, the youngster had just come on as a late substitute as we went for the final kill. We pray it is not serious," said Chidzambwa.

Turning to the game the veteran gaffer conceded that the champions gave his team a good run for their money. "Chicken Inn are a very good side, they make dangerous attacks but I am glad we managed to keep them at bay.

"Seven points from four matches is not a bad start for us, we must keep on working hard because the people of Kariba deserve some nice and entertaining football," said Chidzambwa.

Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas said 2014 Goalkeeper of the Year Tendai Hove stood between his team and a positive result. "He is a brilliant keeper, we were all over ZPC Kariba especially in the second half but that keeper (Hove) made some breathtaking saves.

"I think every team that we play against raises its gear because we are defending champions, we will regroup and see what happens next," said Antipas. Chicken Inn host Bulawayo City on Match Day Five while ZPC Kariba make the long journey to Triangle.

Meanwhile, Tsholotsho skipper William Sitima scored a beauty of a free kick to earn his team a point in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Ascot in Gweru yesterday.

Chapungu took a 55th minute lead when Rodwell Mhlanga tapped home after the visitors' substitute goalkeeper Godswill Saungweme spilled a Jameson Mukombwe free kick into his path.

However, the lead only lasted for five minutes as Sitima, who also scored from a free kick against Highlanders last weekend, left Chapungu goalie Roy Mazingi stranded with a lovely effort.

In another match played at Rufaro Stadium in Harare yesterday midfielder Raphael Manuvire scored a brace and created another two as the Harare City eased pressure on coach Taurai Mangwiro with their second Castle Lager Premier Soccer League triumph of the season over Hwange on an emphatic 4-1 scoreline.

Fellow midfielders William Manondo and Tendai Samanja also found the net for the Sundhsine Boys.

Mangwiro went into the tie under pressure following a 1-2 defeat to Caps United last weekend and the Harare City mentor reckons yesterday's performance was the perfect response.

"There was a lot of talk after the Caps United loss but the boys responded in a very perfect manner," Mangwiro said.

Hwange came into the match on the back of a 2-0 win over debutants Ngezi Platinum and would have fancied their chances against an inconsistent City outfit.

However, the visitors were poor and could have been walloped by a wider margin were it not for their 20-year-old goalie Future Sibanda.

Hwange scored their consolation in the last minute through Gift Mbweti.