THE BALL IS MINE . . . Harare City striker Agrippa Murimba (left) battles for possession with Chapungu’s Lawrence Mapuya during their Castle Lager Premiership tie on a cold afternoon at Ascot yesterday. – (Picture by Nelson Chekera)
Munyaradzi Musiiwa in GWERU
Chapungu……(0) 1
Harare City…(1) 1TEN-MAN Chapungu were forced to come from behind to force a draw against an impressive Harare City at Ascot yesterday in what was arguably the airmen’s worst display of the season at home.
The visitors made their presence felt in the 14th minute when former Dynamos forward Martin “Jolly” Vengesai broke loose but he was robbed of possession before he could pull the trigger.
Harare City got their opener in the 18th minute when William Manondo’s shot was deflected by Agrippa Marimba sending the Chapungu goal minder the wrong way.
The Sunshine Boys continued mounting pressure on Chapungu, piercing its porous defence and almost doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Nathan Ziwini’s shot from close range was spilled by goalkeeper Roy Mazingi.
Murimba’s follow up was again blocked by Mazingi.
Chapungu almost got an equaliser in the 36th minute when Charles Murisa gained possession in City’s half and crossed for Maxwell Mavuto but he shot weakly at the goalkeeper.
City also came close to getting their second goal, which could have sealed their victory, in 51st minute when Manondo made a fine run on the left flank before squaring in for an unmarked Murimba who failed to beat the goalkeeper on a one-on-one situation.
Chapungu, however, threatened to score three minutes later when Mavuto tried to beat Harare City goalkeeper from just outside box but his effort flew over the bar.
The airmen were reduced to ten men in the 83rd minute when Johnson Mabugu was show a second yellow card after a rough challenge on Crybet Muvuti.
Mabugu verbally insulted referee Allan Basvi in protest and was sent off the pitch.
The seemingly desperate airmen got a relief they barely deserved in the 86th minute when Rodwell Mhlanga headed home after getting to the end of a Lawrence Mapuya cross.
Chapungu gaffer John Nykadzino said he was disappointed in the way his charges played.
He said the absence of Charles Mativenga, Calisto Maheya and Blessed Mbavarira had impacted negatively on the team.
“I am very disappointed in the way we played today. Our defence made a lot of mistakes and we conceded a goal in the first half.
“I was missing three of my key players and I have no doubt that it also contributed to our poor display today.
“My strikers are failing to score goals and as a result we lose points. We definitely are going to rectify the mistakes and see how best we can mould our strike force so that we get more goals,” he said.
Harare City coach Bigboy Mawiwi said the result was disappointing considering that his team had dominated for the greater part of the game.
“We deserved to win but we were punished for poor defending just four minutes to full time. However, we managed to get a point away from home and we hope that we will continue getting more points after having had a bad start of the season,” he said.
Teams
Chapungu: R. Mazingi, J. Mabhugu, C. Murisa (Manase 61st min), C. Kwaramba, C. Kushaya, L. Mapuya, M. Mavuto, G. Phiri (Mwale 46th min), H. Mugoniwa, B. Mugoni (Bangira 61st min) R. Mhlanga
***
Harare City: M. Nyamupanedengu, M. Nyenye, T. Chiwoneso, A. Chiveya, D. Kutyauripo, T. Mamvura, P. Bamusi (Muvuti 84th min), N. Ziwini, M. Vengesai (Mukuradare 75th min), A. Murimba, W. Manondo (Chimwemwe 75th min)