BY TERRY MADYAUTA
Chapungu………………….(3)(5) Bulawayo Chiefs……………. (0)
AIRFORCE side Chapungu began their 2019 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign on a high note as they thrashed Bulawayo Chiefs 5-0 at Mandava Stadium.
Having survived relegation by a whisker last season, Chapungu made it an open secret that they are gunning for not less than a top-four finish and yesterday they perfectly presented their credentials, even in the absence of their head coach Rodwell Dhlakama.
A brace apiece from Brighton Mugoni and Ian Nyoni and a goal from Allen Tavarwisa powered the Gweru based side to a massive season opener.
Chapungu dictated the pace of the game and they deservedly capitalised on a visibly fatigued Bulawayo Chiefs side.
Five minutes into play Mugoni fired the Airmen ahead with a side-foot finish from a sublime cross whipped in by Nyoni.
After Tavariswa had somehow missed an open goal from two metres, the Airforce side was awarded a penalty after Malvin Mkolo was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
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Tavariswa made no mistake from the spot kick as he beat goalkeeper David Bizabani with a neatly taken effort, sending him the wrong way.
Nyoni then made light work of the Ninjas on the 40 minute mark as he got to the end of a defence-splitting pass from Mugoni.
Mugoni was having a good day in the office and in the 57th minute, he completed his brace when he finished off a rebound, after Bizabani spilled a powerful strike from Edmore Muzanenhamo.
Nyoni also scored his second goal of the day for Chapungu with a diving header from a delightful cross from impressive new boy Nigel Hunga.
Chapungu assistant coach Clemence Mugari was on cloud nine as his side made a memorable start to the season.
“We are happy because this has never happened before and we are gunning to keep this momentum until the end of the season,” Mugari said.
“The target is to attain a respectable position on the log and not end up fighting relegation like the previous seasons.”
His counterpart Joseph Sibindi defended his players despite the humiliating start to the campaign.
“It’s part of the game and it’s not a false start. There is nothing wrong with this result; they just had their chances, which they scored,” Sibindi said.
“They just scored so many goals against us, but let’s see as time goes on. We have to pull up our socks and compete well.”