BY TERRY MADYAUTA
Chapungu……………….. (1)(2 Highlanders……………….. (2)(2)
A SEASON that began with so much promise after an emphatic 5-0 win over Bulawayo Chiefs ended in tears and heartbreak as Chapungu were relegated to the unfashionable world of Division One despite picking a point in a two-all draw against Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
The Airforce side go down to the second tier league together with their Gweru compatriots TelOne, who return to the less attractive league after one season in the top-flight.
Even Denver Mukamba’s brace was not enough to save the airmen as it was cancelled out by goals from Nqobizitha Masuku and an own goal by Emmanuel Chitauro.
This feat, will probably mean the sacking of Weddington Chinyan’anya who presided over the team’s downfall after the departure of Rodwell Dhlakama to Ngezi Platinum.
The former Black Rhinos Queens coach was never the favourite candidate at Chapungu, and yesterday he was close to tears in his overall remarks of the season.
“I am disappointed with the result. We never thought it would end this way, but fate had it in a very different way for us all together,” Chinyan’anya said.
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“As the coach I wanted the best for the team, but today we failed to use our chances, but the match officiating was also a major drawback. Denver did well, but lady-luck was not on our side today.”
His counterpart Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh was happy with the way his side ended the season.
“I think it’s a good way to end the season, where we played away. We were good and on a good day we could have collected maximum points,” he said.
“Overall I am happy with the way the team played today. For me, it’s time for us to rest and reflect on the whole season.”
Meanwhile there was more disappointment for the soccer fraternity in the Midlands capital after TelOne were relegated after crashing 4-1 at the hands of Chicken Inn at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Chicken Inn got their goals through Innocent Mucheneka, Valentine Kadonzvo, George Majika and Sipho Ndlovu to finish second on the log on 59 points from 34 matches.
TelOne got their consolation through King Nadolo, who took his tally to 12 goals since joining the club during the midseason transfer window period.
His efforts were, however, in vain as they WiFi Boys finished the season in 15th position.
