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Monomotapa stretch lead to 6 points
By
Nkanyiso Moyo
MONOMOTAPA opened a six-point gap at the top of the CBZ Premier Soccer
League as pursuing Highlanders fell further behind after a shock 1-0
defeat to Lengthens at Barbourfields.
Monomotapa beat Njube Sundowns 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash at Dzivarasekwa – maintaining their 12-game unbeaten run. Only one result in that fine run has been a draw.
The win lifted Norman Mapeza’s men to 34 points, trailed by Sundowns on 28 and Highlanders who remain stuck on 27.
Champions Dynamos who were playing in the Champions League over the weekend could go second if they win their game-in-hand.
Monomotapa, their self belief and ambitions growing with every win, took early charge over Sundowns with a second minute goal from Makai Kawasha.
The country’s leading goal scorer Evans Chikwaikwai hauled Sundowns back into it with 15 minutes on the clock after a goalmouth melee. Then, agonisingly for the Bulawayo side, Brian Mbiriri turned the ball past his own keeper in the dying seconds to give Monomotapa maximum points.
Monomotapa now
have just 14 games to hold on to their lead and add their name to
a small minority of surprise previous league winners -- AmaZulu, Black
Aces,
Black Rhinos and Zimbabwe Saints.
Lengthens left it late at Barbourfields against a dour Highlanders. Ephert Sakwata struck the winner a minute from full time to stun the home crowd and pile pressure on coach, Methembe Ndlovu.
At Rufaro on Saturday, CAPS United saw their two-goal lead cancelled out by a CAPS FC fight-back. Washington Pakamisa and Limited Chikafa had put United clear, but CAPS FC, under former United coach Luke Masomere, staged a spirited fight-back and were rewarded with goals by Tendai Mwarura and a last gasp equaliser from the boot of Chris Samakwere.
On the same day, Kiglon rediscovered their early season form to beat Shooting Stars 1-0. The winner came five minutes before the half hour from Tawanda Mudyanduri who converted a penalty.
Gunners and Underhill shared the spoils in an epic battle of the newboys at Gwanzura Stadium. Underhill’s leading marksman, Kudakwashe Musharu, had them in front with his eighth goal of the season, but that was cancelled out by Ramson Zhuwawo’s fine header.
Gunners coach George Madira threw in Thanks Tengwe soon after the break and the striker scored almost immediately to complete a personal double over Underhill. He netted in the reverse encounter at Mucheke in April, although they lost 2-1.
Gunners, however, failed to hold on to their lead and Underhill captain Nicholas Arufandika ghosted in to grab the equaliser six minutes before the end.
CBZ
Premier Soccer League Results:
Saturday:
Monomotapa 2-1 Njube Sundowns; Kiglon 1-0 Shooting Stars; CAPS United
2-2 CAPS FC; Gunners 2-2 Underhill
Sunday:
Highlanders 0-1 Lengthens; Masvingo 0-0 Motor Action; Eastern Lions
2-1 Chapungu
CBZ Premier Soccer League Table (July 18, 2008):
TEAM
|
Played |
Won |
Drew |
Lost |
G/F |
G/A |
Points |
|
| 1 | Monomotapa | 16 |
11 |
1 |
4 |
27 |
21 |
34 |
| 2 | Njube Sundowns | 16 |
9 |
1 |
6 |
27 |
20 |
28 |
| 3 | Highlanders | 16 |
7 |
6 |
3 |
24 |
10 |
27 |
| 4 | Motor Action | 16 |
9 |
2 |
5 |
18 |
17 |
27 |
| 5 | Dynamos | 15 |
7 |
6 |
2 |
17 |
11 |
27 |
| 6 | Chapungu | 16 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
21 |
14 |
23 |
| 7 | Kiglon | 16 |
5 |
7 |
4 |
17 |
15 |
22 |
| 8 | Shooting Stars | 16 |
6 |
3 |
7 |
15 |
17 |
22 |
| 9 | Lengthens | 16 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
20 |
22 |
20 |
| 10 | Masvingo United | 16 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
14 |
21 |
20 |
| 11 | Underhill | 16 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
24 |
33 |
19 |
| 12 | Gunners | 16 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
18 |
21 |
17 |
| 13 | CAPS United | 16 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
17 |
21 |
17 |
| 14 | Eastern Lions | 16 |
4 |
5 |
7 |
13 |
18 |
17 |
| 15 | CAPS FC | 16 |
3 |
6 |
7 |
16 |
20 |
15 |
| 16 | Lancashire Steel | 15 |
3 |
4 |
8 |
15 |
24 |
13 |
TOP GOAL SCORERS:
| PLAYER & TEAM | GOALS |
| Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns) | 15 |
| Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders) | 12 |
| Edward Sadomba (Dynamos) | 10 |
| Nyasha Mushekwi (CAPS United), Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa) | 7 |
| Tawanda Nyamandwe (Kiglon), Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders) | 6 |
| Simon Chipunza (Lancashire Steel), Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa) | 5 |
| Thanks Tengwe (Gunners), Patrick Tom (Sundowns), Kudakwashe Musharu (Underhill) |
|
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