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Lovemore Zigara in Gweru
Chapungu 3 – 0 Black Rhinos

CHAPUNGU ended their two-match losing streak to dispatch fellow defence forces outfit Black Rhinos in a Castle Lager Premiership encounter at Ascot Stadium in Gweru yesterday.

The airmen went into the match on the back of a 0-1 loss to FC Platinum just before the midseason break.

Phillip Marufu’s penalty, Allen Tavarwisa and Patrick Khumbula’s strikes handed the soldiers one of their heaviest defeats this season.

Rhinos took the initiative earlier on in the match and threatened to overrun their opponents, but it was the airmen that drew first blood when former Dynamos defender Sydney Linyama handled inside the box in the fifth minute.

Marufu took responsibility and made no mistake from the penalty spot, torching wild celebrations.

The hosts then seized the initiative and doubled their lead through Tavarwisa, who headed home a Tineyi Chitora cross in the 43rd minute.

Khumbula, who was registered during the current transfer window, made it 3-0 for Chapungu through a cheeky back heeler during a goalmouth melee.

Chapungu coach Tendai Chikuni said he was happy that his attacking formation had paid dividends.

“It was a big challenge for us, but we told ourselves that there is no way we can play a defensive system. That is why we employed four strikers because we really wanted to win. There was nothing to defend and I need to applaud my boys for the hard work because Rhinos were tactically alert in the early stages of the game,” said Chikuni.

His Rhinos counterpart Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa blamed the loss on the penalty his side conceded, saying it killed their momentum.

“That penalty demoralised my boys and we tried to come back into the match, but Chapungu lifted their game and played very well, hence they scored those three goals,” said Mutizwa.

@lavuzigara1