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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho FC 0-1 Chapungu
VETERAN midfielder Maxwell Mavhuto ghosted from the blind side to tap home the goal that proved to be the match winner as Chapungu FC handed Tsholotsho FC their second consecutive defeat in the Premiership.

The airmen continued with their steady rise on the topflight table, making it into the top eight for the first time this season.

Yesterday’s victory at White City Stadium saw Chapungu move two places up the ladder to position seven — tied on 12 points with How Mine and Harare City who have superior goal difference.

A defensive mix-up between Tsholotsho FC’s goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang and his centrebacks saw the goalie miss a seemingly harmless cross from the right by Hillary Mugoniwa, leaving Mavhuto to tap the ball from the blind side on the hour mark.

The goal was Mavhuto’s last touch of the game as he was immediately pulled out for Marvelous Dikinya.

John Nyikadzino, Chapungu FC’s coach heaped praises on his charges and said their turning point was on Week Five when they beat Highlanders 1-0 at Barbourfields Stadium.

“That victory against Bosso changed everything because it was our first win of the season. Since then, we’ve never lost as we went on to beat ZPC Kariba and played draws against Hwange and Buffaloes. I’m happy that we’re rolling,” said Nyikadzino.

With a bit of luck Chapungu could have won the game by a wider margin but Chang denied Allan Tavarwisa twice in each half.

In the first half the Tsholotsho FC goalie parried Tavarwisa’s volley for corner before punching to safety the striker’s shot in added time.

Tsholotsho FC’s real scoring chance fell to William Stima in the 30th minute but the skipper, unmarked in the box, shot wide.

A minute later MacClive Phiri forced Chapungu’s goalkeeper Roy Muzingi into making a save.

In the 72nd minute Simba Gorogodyo saw the upright deny him an equaliser having beaten Mazingi with an impressive header off a Stima cross.

Tsholotsho FC coach Lizwe Sweswe said they will bounce back.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost but I think we had a good game. We only conceded a soft goal but we’ll bounce back,” said Sweswe.

 

Results

Yesterday: Tsholotsho FC 0-1 Chapungu, Harare City 2-1 ZPC Kariba, FC Platinum 3-0 How Mine, Flame Lily 0-3 Highlanders, Dongo Sawmill 0-1 Buffaloes, Chicken Inn 0-0 Triangle United

Table

P W D L F A GD Pts

Chicken Inn 8 6 1 1 13 5 8 19

Triangle United 8 5 2 1 17 5 12 17

Dynamos 7 4 2 1 7 4 3 14

Highlanders 8 4 1 3 6 4 2 13

How Mine 8 3 3 2 13 7 6 12

Harare City 8 3 3 2 8 7 1 12

Chapungu 8 3 3 2 6 7 -1 12

Caps United 7 3 2 2 6 10 -4 11

FC Platinum 8 3 1 4 14 10 4 10

ZPC Kariba 8 2 4 2 15 12 3 10

Tsholotsho FC 8 2 2 4 4 7 -3 8

Buffaloes 8 1 5 2 6 11 -7 8

Whawha 7 1 2 4 5 15 -10 5

Flame Lily 8 1 3 4 5 12 -7 6

Hwange 7 0 5 2 7 11 -4 5

Dongo Sawmill 8 0 3 5 5 10 -5 3