NGEZI PLATINUM STARS . . . . .(0)0
ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)1
ZPC Kariba claimed an emotional victory when they knocked 2016 champions Ngezi Platinum Stars out of the Chibuku Super Cup with a 1-0 victory away from home yesterday.
Munashe Kamwendo scored the decisive goal to send the Kariba side into the next round of the competition, but the victory carried a much deeper meaning for the team after a tragic week in which close scores of people lost their lives when a ferry boat capsized on Lake Kariba.
ZPC Kariba coach Expense Chitukutuku dedicated the hard-fought victory to the victims of the tragedy, saying his players were determined to give the people of Kariba something to remember during a difficult period.
“We were doing this job to give respect to the lost lives and we dedicate this win to all the people who perished in that boat,” Chitukutuku said.
The emotional victory also provided a major boost for ZPC Kariba after they had suffered a home defeat last weekend.
Chitukutuku was particularly pleased with the character shown by his players to bounce back and eliminate one of the country's established clubs on their own turf.
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“Very excited with the progress and work which the guys are doing. It’s a good result after coming from a home defeat to retain the confidence which the guys had lost last weekend,” he said.
“I think the guys showed some energy and they didn’t let them play because in front of their home crowd we told them they mustn’t play. Let’s force them to play a long ball and we’ll get an advantage from them.”
The visitors could have taken the lead shortly before the half-hour mark when Kamwendo found himself face-to-face with Ngezi goalkeeper Tatenda Chikowero, but the midfielder was denied by a brilliant save.
Kamwendo eventually got his reward five minutes before half-time, curling the ball into the far corner from inside the box after his effort took a slight deflection.
Ngezi increased the pressure after the break as they searched for a way back into the contest, with substitute Orlando Zvavarevi and Tinotenda Murasiranwa providing attacking threat.
But Kariba remained resolute and defended their lead with determination to secure a memorable cup victory.
Zvavarevi came agonisingly close to equalising with about 10 minutes remaining when his effort from a tight angle kissed the outside of the post.
Marvelous Mukumba had another opportunity in the dying moments, but his low effort lacked power and Munditi produced a smart save to preserve Kariba's advantage.
For Ngezi coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, the early cup exit was a bitter disappointment, particularly after his team had enjoyed home advantage.
“Not so impressive, not good for us as a team. We couldn’t utilise the home advantage and also early exit in the cup,” Mutiwekuziva said.
“Our major undoing is actually scoring today. We couldn’t utilise the chances that came our way. ZPC Kariba utilised their chance that came their way and they progressed.
“This automatically means that this is a cup game. You need just to utilise, you just need to score and prevent opponents from scoring so that you can progress to the next round of the competition.”
For Kariba, however, the victory was about more than simply progressing in the Chibuku Super Cup.
It was a result dedicated to a community still mourning the loss of loved ones in the Lake Kariba tragedy — and one that gave ZPC Kariba a memorable moment of triumph during a week of profound grief.
Ngezi will now shift their focus to the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and the league, where they retain an outside chance of winning silverware.
