Admore Mbonda in Kariba
ZPC Kariba and Bulawayo Chiefs played to a 1-1 draw at Nyamhunga Stadium on Wednesday, with both sides left frustrated by missed opportunities in a Premier Soccer League encounter that stretched from early Premier pressure to late-game tension.
Bulawayo Chiefs made an immediate impact, taking the lead in the 10th minute when they were awarded a penalty after ZPC Kariba handled the ball inside the area.
Malvern Hativagoni stepped up and converted confidently, sending the visitors ahead and setting a lively pace during a strong opening spell for the away side.
But ZPC Kariba began to settle after the early setback, and their forward line started to grow in influence. Charles Munyanyi tested the Chiefs back line repeatedly, with one header drifting wide after a promising run into the box before the home side threatened again in the 22nd minute.
As momentum shifted, ZPC Kariba grew more dangerous—particularly down the left flank where Wayne Kamurai created problems for the Bulawayo defence.
Chiefs’ Saiti also had moments to change the tempo, forcing a save with a low strike from outside the area, though it lacked precision.
The equaliser finally arrived in the 36th minute. Colleen Muleya reacted quickest after a corner caused chaos in the Chiefs box, finishing to level the scores and bring the crowd into the match.
With that, the teams went into halftime tied at 1-1, in a contest that had felt evenly balanced, though ZPC Kariba appeared slightly more threatening in the closing stages of the first half.
The second half opened with both teams looking for a winner. Zibusiso Dambo was introduced for Chiefs and immediately injected pace, running at the ZPC defence marshalled by Kelvin Gwao.
However, the home side held firm and denied the visitors a clean route to goal.
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