ZPC Kariba on top of Castle Lager league

Harare City 2 - 3 ZPC Kariba
The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race has just begun.

For the first time this season, ZPC Kariba coach Saul Chaminuka openly declared they are vying for the championship after toppling Dynamos from top spot following a deserved victory over Harare City at Rufaro yesterday.

Although ZPC's stay at the top could last just 24 hours if Dynamos at least draw with Bantu Rovers at the same venue this afternoon, no doubt they turned on the furnace on DeMbare in this two-horse race.

Now leading on goal difference with 53 points, their win would certainly dictate DeMbare's rhythm today.

Even if Kalisto Pasuwa's men beat Bantu Rovers, ZPC's win sets up a potentially stormy clash with the Glamour Boys whom they meet in their next league match which could be a decider.

A first-half brace by veteran forward Limited Chikafa complemented by Pride Tafirenyika's second half strike carried the day for ZPC Kariba who conceded an Arnold Chivheya freekick and Francisco Zekumbawire's turn-and-shoot.

On a day which was their first time this season to play on the Rufaro's synthetic rubber turf, Chaminuka commended his charges as "marvelous," as he departed from his diplomatic stance of stiffling his title aspirations.

"Now I can safely say we want the championship," said Chaminuka.

"If we beat Dynamos in our next match, it means we have won the league title although it depends on how we perform against CAPS United in the last game. The boys are just marvellous. We played on artificial turf and most of the guys had never played on this pitch before but they did well. I cannot ask for more."

It was a fourth straight loss for Harare City who blew up the chance to end the season in the top-four.

Masimba Dinyero's charges will drop into the relegation zone if Chapungu, Triangle and Shabanie Mine win their respective matches this afternoon.

"Now it is no longer possible to finish in the top four as we had targeted," said Dinyero.

"The last two games would be difficult and we have to fight. We are wounded lions now. The morale is down in the team and as a father figure, I have to engage my players in a deep talk to psyche them."

Chikafa's experience first came in handy 15 minutes into the match with a freekick that deflected off the wall to fool Nomore John in goals for City.

But the hosts immediately responded four minutes later in almost similar fashion, but this time it was a well-struck freekick by Chivheya which gave ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Tonderayi Mateyaunga no chance.

On the stroke of half-time, a counter clearance by Dennis Dauda fell on Chikafa who shrugged the challenge of Munyaradzi Diro-Nyenye to coolly lob home past an advancing John.

Nine minutes after the restart, Pride Tarirenyika slotted past John off a feed by Moses Makanje to extend ZPC's lead.

But dramatically a minute later City reduced arrears as bustling Zekumbawire powerfully shielded Dauda to shoot home.

City appeared determined to claw their way back into the game with Zekumbawire also hitting the upright post late in the match, but the visitors held on.