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Kelvin Kaindu

Ngqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
Highlanders 1-3 ZPC Kariba
RUTHLESS ZPC Kariba reemphasized their Premier League title credentials with an efficient dismantling of Highlanders at Hartsfield yesterday.

Veteran Limited Chikafa scored a brace as Saul Chaminuka’s men climbed up to second behind Dynamos, while Highlanders slipped to fourth behind Caps United.

The defeat saw Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu fleeing the technical bench at the final whistle after stones were thrown at him. Both teams had to race to the centre circle where they cowered for 10 minutes as police battled to clear the ground of rowdy fans who were throwing stones and bottles at the players.

Title-chasing ZPC Kariba shot into the lead as early as the second minute through Pride Tafirenyika’s deflected shot after winger Rahman Kutsanzira lost possession on the edge of the box.

Kutsanzira made amends in the 21st minute when he connected a Charles Sibanda corner kick with a firm header to bring the home team on level terms.

Chikafa’s two goals in the 53rd minute and 60th minute all but ensured the visitors went back home with maximum points while condemning Highlanders to their second defeat on the trot after last week’s 1-0 loss to Harare City.

Chikafa’s second goal was a beautifully constructed smash-and-grab by the visitors. Goalkeeper Tendai Hove started a counter-attacking move with a long ball pumped forward, immediately pitting Chikafa and Eric Mudzingwa in a sprint. Chikafa won the race, catching the ball on the half volley and rifling past Ariel Sibanda.

Highlanders were being outthought and outrun.

“Our game plan was to shut out Highlanders’ wing backs and also to separate them from their supporters. We knew that if we get an early goal and frustrate them, their supporters will turn against them and that’s exactly what happened,” said Chikafa.

He gave Bosso’s left back Bruce Kangwa anxious moments throughout the match and Kaindu did not have an answer to his exploits on the wings.

Kaindu pulled out Joel Ngodzo for Pasca Manhanga in the 63rd minute but the move failed to yield any dividends as the visitors kept on piling the pressure in search of a fourth goal.

Ozias Zibande was the next to be introduced in the 74th minute for Simbarashe Sithole, but by then the damage had been done.

“The guys absorbed the pressure very well,” said an elated Chaminuka, who left for Botswana soon after the match to take charge of the Zimbabwe Under-23 team which plays an international friendly against the Zebras today. Tempers flared at the end as fans demanded Kaindu’s head. Police fired teargas to disperse rowdy supporters but it was 10 minutes before the players could return to the dressing rooms.

Kaindu was holed up at the ground for more than an hour after the match had ended after police advised him it was unsafe to leave.

Highlanders forward Njabulo Ncube was involved in expletive-laden exchange with fans as he left the ground.

Teams

Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Rahman Kutsanzira, Charles Sibanda, Bruce Kangwa, Felix Chindungwe, Dumisani Ndlovu, Eric Mudzingwa, Joel Ngodzo (Pascal Manhanga 63rd minute), Webster Chingodzo, Simbarashe Sithole (Ozias Zibande 74th minute), Njabulo Ncube (Welcome Ndiweni 83rd min)

ZPC Kariba: Tendai Hove, Dexter Phiri, Peter Muzondo, Denis Dauda, Ephraim Mwinga, Tawanda Munyandari, Elvis Meleka, Pride Tafirenyika, Terrence Gonzo (Noress Mkwezaramba 79th min), Tawanda Nyamaidwe, Limited Chikafa (Moses Makange 81st min)