By Admore Mbonda in Kariba
Kariba — In a dramatic showdown at the Kariba Sports Complex, ZPC Kariba clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Highlanders FC, showcasing both impressive skills and moments of missed opportunities that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The match kicked off with immediate intensity as both teams sought early dominance. ZPC’s Charles Munyanyi squandered a golden opportunity in the 6th minute, failing to convert a header from a promising cross by Sama Makawa.
Just two minutes later, Munashe Kamwendo also misfired from a loose ball, setting the tone for a match filled with near misses.
Highlanders FC, eager to capitalize on their strong start, saw Brighton miss a crucial chance in the 13th minute, unable to penetrate ZPC’s resilient defense. Mason Mushore followed suit, heading a free kick wide in the 23rd minute, leaving supporters frustrated.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute when ZPC’s Fanuel Shoko expertly curled a free kick past Highlanders’ goalkeeper Reward Muza.
Shoko continued to shine, scoring again in the 57th minute after a well-coordinated play with Sam Makawa and Kamwendo, putting ZPC ahead 2-0.
Highlanders, determined to fight back, found their lifeline in the 77th minute when substitute Tendai Muvuti found the net, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Despite their late surge, they were unable to find an equalizer, leaving the ZPC fans celebrating.
Reflecting on the match, Shoko expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. “We played well, and I’m proud of our effort. We took our chances, and it paid off,” he stated.
Highlanders coach Kelvin Kaindu voiced his disappointment, noting the missed opportunities. “We had a solid start and created several chances, but we failed to convert. We need to improve our finishing in the next match,” he remarked.
ZPC coach Newton Chitewe praised his team’s tactical execution, stating, “Our strategy worked well today. The players followed the game plan, and it showed in the result.”
Throughout the match, several key moments stood out, including Tawanda Musariri’s near miss from a free kick in the 33rd minute and Kamwendo’s aimless shot right after halftime.
Highlanders’ Andrew Mbeba and Never Rauzhi also failed to capitalize on their chances, further hampering their efforts.
In the closing minutes, substitute Wayne Kamurai dazzled with a solo run past the Highlanders’ defense, but his shot went wide. Meanwhile, Highlanders narrowly avoided disaster as Arthur Ndlovu almost scored an own goal in stoppage time.
Despite the loss, Highlanders remain optimistic and look to regroup for their upcoming matches. With both teams displaying flashes of brilliance, the league promises more excitement as the season unfolds.
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