ZPC Kariba home ready for use

Sport
ZPC Kariba Football Club followers will have a chance to watch their team playing the remaining home fixture at Nyamhunga after the venue went through a major facelift.

FINALLY it’s here!

Brian Nkiwane

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) Kariba Football Club followers will have a chance to watch their team playing the remaining home fixture at their favourite hunting ground, Nyamhunga after the venue went through a major facelift.

Gwenya Rekuchamhembe or Kauya Katuruturu, as they are fondly known by their fans, have been using Gwanzura in Highfields Harare, as their home ground since the time they started life in the topflight league.

The team had hoped that they would revert to their favourite hunting ground yesterday when they took on rejuvenated army side Black Rhinos, but the visiting Zifa Grounds Committee led by Zifa board member development John Phiri said the stadium needed some attention and may only be ready for use after five days.

The other members of the committee are retired referee Wilfred Mukuna and Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Twine Phiri.

Speaking to this publication on Wednesday, a day after travelling to assess the stadium, PSL chairman Phiri said the venue, which could be regarded as one of the best in the country, was almost done.

“I can confirm we were in Kariba to see progress at Nyamhunga Stadium. What I can tell you is that the stadium has been renovated to acceptable standards. However, we felt that there were some things that needed to be done on the terraces so we decided not to give it a go, hosting this weekend’s match. We will go back there in a few days’ time to see whether they would have attended to all the areas raised during the tour so that we can give them the green light to start using the stadium,” Phiri said.

ZPC Kariba will try and make full use of home advantage when they bounce back to their favourite hunting ground in their push for the title in their maiden premiership dance.

The power company which has shocked many with their performance in their first season in topflight league, still have three home matches to play before the 2014 soccer season curtain comes down.

Their next home game which could be their first in Kariba will be against Triangle FC. After the Black Rhinos match this weekend, ZPC Kariba will make a long trip to Bulawayo for a date against second-placed Highlanders in a match that could have a bearing on the championship destination as both teams are in the running for the title.

After hosting Triangle, Kauya Katuruturu will travel to Zvishavane to face Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum before hosting army side Buffaloes.

The power generators will make another trip to the capital to host Harare City before winding up 2014 premiership action by hosting defending champions Dynamos in a match that promises to set Kariba alight, officially marking the arrival of premiership action in the resort town.

With home fans having watched only two home games at Nyamhunga, this match will leave a lot of suspense in the football starved community.