Kwesesports – FC Platinum maintained their grip on top of the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League table while Caps United moved to second as they humbled Highlanders on matchday 16.
A second half strike from Dominic Chungwa ensured revenge for Makepekepe on their Bulawayo rivals on Sunday afternoon.
The home team created many chances which could have given them a cushion before the break. Chungwa was the man in the middle of those misses, including a free header which he floated over the bar in the final third of the first half.
The second half saw the Green Machine organised as before, but this time Chungwa was on target as his rebound found the back of the net in the 58th minute.
Highlanders were lucky to survive another chance after Ronald Pfumbidzai was denied by the upright in the late stages of the game.
In Bulawayo, Harare City succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to Chicken Inn. An own goal from Munyaradzi Dironyenye put the champions in front close to the quarter hour mark.
Despite playing great football, the Sunshine Boys never had any shot on target until the 62nd minute.
The Gamecocks then created a few chances but it was not until five minutes from full-time when Clemence Matawu doubled the advantage after a defensive blunder from the visitors.
At Colliery, Tsholotsho FC failed to recover from an early blow when they went down 1-0 at the hands of Hwange Colliery.
Gift Mbwete’s solitary goal, four minutes into the game, separated the teams at full time.
Tonderai Ndiraya extended his unbeaten run to six when his charges managed a goalless draw against Triangle United in a match also played on the same afternoon.
Dynamos’ inability to score seemed to have re-emerged after a third consecutive goalless draw at Nyamhunga against ZPC Kariba on Saturday.
The hosts started the match with the intent to grab an early lead but Talent Chawapiwa’s first minute effort was stopped by goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva.
They went on to retain the majority of the ball possession with their congested midfield winning the loose balls and
later created some chances but could not find the goal.
The last 45 minutes also saw Dembare playing second fiddle to their opponents, again forcing Mukuruva into action on numerous occasions. The match ended with no goals scored.
At Barbourfields, visitors FC Platinum escaped with a late win over Bulawayo City.
Amakhosi dominated the game and at some point, they looked as favourites to take away three points.
However, Philani Ncube’s side survived a late scare when Marshal Mudehwe hit the upright in the 85th minute.
It was not too long after when Ian Nekuti’s cross found Rodwell Chingetere, who successfully executed with a header to seal a hard fought victory.
Border Strikers squeezed a point away at Luveve against How Mine. A first minute strike courtesy of Kudzanai Kwashi gave the away team a rare lead early on.
They soon adopted a defensive mindset to protect the goal but a penalty by Praise Tonha on the stroke of first halftime saw the game end in a stalemate.
Meanwhile Mutare City Rovers played to a goalless draw against Chapungu in a match played at Sakubva stadium.
MATCHDAY 16 RESULTS
Saturday July 30
How Mine 1-1 Border Strikers
Bulawayo City 0-1 FC Platinum
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Dynamos
Mutare City Rovers 0-0 Chapungu FC
Sunday July 31
Chicken Inn 2-0 Harare City
Caps United 1-0 Highlanders
Triangle United 0-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars
Hwange Colliery 1-0 Tsholotsho FC
Mufaro Machenjera, KweseSports