BY TERRY MADYAUTA
Chapungu…………………… (0)1 Manica Diamonds……………… (0)1
DENVER Mukamba hogged the limelight on his debut for Chapungu after netting a beauty of a goal in a thrilling one all-draw with Manica Diamonds at Mandava Stadium yesterday.
Having spent over six months on the sidelines following his unceremonious departure from Dynamos, Mukamba, who completed his move to Chapungu late on Friday-rose from the bench to score a powerful volley from outside the box in the referee’s regulation time.
Chapungu’s hopes of a salvaging point were slowly fading, but Mukamba’s introduction got Chapungu buzzing in the dying minutes of the encounter.
Manica Diamonds’ second half substitute and debutant Kudakwashe Gurure had opened the scoresheet in the 77th minute, with a tap-in from inside the box.
Gurure scored with his first touch of the game, but it was Mukamba who stole the show with his volley, which left Jorum Muchambo rooted at one spot.
A bubbling Mukamba promised to score more goals for Chapungu.
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“I am happy to have scored after such a long time. It’s very difficult not to have a team, but the faith they showed in me needs to be repaid. I am so happy and I have so many things to achieve with Chapungu,” said Mukamba.
Manica Diamonds dominated possession, especially in the midfield, where Chapungu were disjointed and slow to move out of their blocks.
Their dominance, however, did not translate into goals. When they created chances, strikers Ishmael Lawe and Benjamin Marere took turns to miss the clear goal-scoring opportunities.
At one moment, the pair failed to kill the game as they had promising chances twice in quick succession with Chapungu goalie Herbert Rusawo at their mercy. Chapungu coach Rodwell Dhlakama heaved a sigh of relief after Mukamba rescued his side from the jaws of defeat.
“I want to thank God for the result. Denver helped us a lot. We might have lost, but for today we managed a point,” he said.
“We are relieved so much and I hope we pick maximum points in the next game. We need to end this winless streak.”
His counterpart Luke Masomere was disappointed.
“We had so many chances, but we just scored only one. On a good day we could have won the match, but clearly we are lacking firepower upfront. Since the club does not have the money to buy more players, then we have to work with what is available,” he said.
Chapungu: H Rusawo, P Gumbo, H Mugoniwa, M Muchingami, B Mbavarira, E Muzanenhamo, P Kumbula (D Mukamba 78), B Muzondiwa (B Mugoni 55min), M Mavuto (B Chihowa 79), P Marufu, T Chitora
Manica Diamonds: J Muchambo, L Masibera, P Mpelele, C Munzwabwa, N Tachi, L Jesi (K Gurure 75), T Jefrey, T Mukono, B Marere(S Sibanda 77), I Lawe, R Mufudza.
