'We had special tactics for DeMbare,' says Chapungu coach

CHAPUNGU produced the biggest upset of the midweek fixtures when they stunned Dynamos in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) football match played at Ascot Stadium, Gweru, yesterday.

Chapungu  (1) 1
Dynamos         0

Talent Mwale's first half-goal was all the airforce side needed to collect maximum points against their more-fancied opponents and ensure their first victory over the Harare giants in six attempts.

Dynamos came into the match with a 100% away record while Chapungu were also unbeaten at home this season.

After the match Chapungu head coach John Nyikadzino was happy that his tactics came right.

"I knew we were playing against champions, so we had special tactics for them and I am happy that we got the result we dreamt of. I told my players that fellow PSL newcomers ZPC Kariba beat them and we could do the same.

"We are playing in the same league with them, so there was no need to lose sleep ahead of the match," he said.

Kalisto Pasuwa bemoaned the lack of composure from his charges.

"This was one of our worst performances outside Harare. Some of the guys were jittery and I don't know why. There was also lack of guidance in our attack. None of our senior strikers were in the game. We were also losing possession needlessly in midfield," Pasuwa said.

Chapungu started the match on a bright note taking the game to their opponents, with the brilliant attacking threat of livewire Farai Manase causing all sorts of problems for the visitors.

Six minutes into the game Walter Mukanga fouled him just outside the box, but the resultant free-kick taken by Maxwell Mavhuto was dealt with easily by George Chigova in goal for the Harare giants.

Steven Alimenda tested the resolve of former teammate at Hardbody Alexander Useni in goal for Chapungu with a powerful shot, but Oscar Machapa was not alert to bury the rebound.

Chapungu were rewarded for their relentless attack on the champions in the 25th minute when Calisto Maheya flicked the ball with his head into the path of Mwale who kept his nerve to score and silence the multitudes of the DeMbare fans.

Six minutes later Dynamos could have found the equaliser when an unmarked Tafadzwa Rusike directed his header off target after he was fed with a brilliant cross by Machapa.

Six minutes after the breather Mukanga's cross found an unmarked Patrick Kumbula, but his header was blocked by an alert Blessed Mbavarira.

In the 61st minute Rodwell Mhlanga could have added an insurance goal for the hosts, but his header was inches over the cross bar after Hillary Mugoniwa had sent in an inch-perfect cross.

In the 93rd minute Courage Murize was red carded for a foul mouth rant on referee Thembinkosi Sibanda and a minute later Rodwell Mhlanga followed him to the dressing rooms after a crude foul on Alimenda.