ZPC registered their first win at home when they edged struggling WhaWha at Nyamhunga Stadium on Saturday.
ZPC . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2 WhaWha . . . . . . (0) 1
By Nunurai Jena
The win was also their first in the Castle Lager Premier League under the guidance of Sunday Chidzambwa.
The home team might have benefitted from questionable refereeing by Norman Matemera, but they finally got three points.
ZPC started strongly and were rewarded in the 14th minute when veteran Limited Chikafa coolly slotted the ball home past impressive WhaWha keeper Stanley Chakwana, who was outstanding for the visiting team.
The goal came after a good build-up involving another veteran Pride Tafirenyika. A minute later Tafirenyika fluffed a chance for ZPC to increase the score line when he reacted slowly with only the keeper to beat.
After the breather WhaWha came back rejuvenated with the introduction of Ali Njoloma who started dictating the pace in midfield.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
But ZPC added another goal in the 56th minute through Raphael Manuvire after a goalmouth melee in which he appeared to have handled the ball in the process, but the referee signalled for a goal leading to a confrontation with WhaWha coach Lloyd Mutasa.
WhaWha pulled one back when substitute Roy Useni took advantage of the laxity in defence by Huge relief for Mhofu as ZPC win ZPC with 15 minutes left on the clock.
WhaWha piled more pressure but were frustrated by the home side which began playing for time as they held on for the valuable three points.
The final whistle brought a sigh of relief to the ZPC bench. They had finally got the monkey off their back.
ZPC coach Sunday Chidzambwa was on cloud nine.
“I knew [the win] was coming because we were working very hard with the boys. I think the guys were responding slowly but I’m not really satisfied because we can improve” said Chidzambwa.
WhaWha coach Mutasa — a student of Chidzambwa — praised his players, although he thought they could at least have gotten a point, but he refused to talk about the referee’s questionable decisions.
“We are still in a relegation puzzle and I would not want to worry about the things I don’t have control over, which is about referees.
It is not my area and I will not talk about them” said Mutasa
