Football
Simba Mushati, Special to ESPN 6y

Tarumbwa strike floors Dynamos, Ngezi win

Veteran striker Obadiah Tarumbwa's second-half strike proved the difference as Chicken Inn floored Dynamos 1-0 in the opening round of the 2018 Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League season on Saturday.

Dynamos had looked the more likely team to deliver the first punch earlier on as they showed better coordination against a rusty looking opponent.

Chicken Inn however soaked up the pressure to gradually play their way back into the contest and create chances of their own in the headline fixture of Round 1.

The Harare giants have traditionally struggled against Chicken Inn and there was to be no respite this time around as Tarumbwa broke the deadlock on 51 minutes after being set-up by Innocent Mucheneka.

In the absence of chief striker Christian Ntouba, Dynamos deployed Tatenda Macheke upfront with Cleopas Kapupurika and Ocean Mushure on either wing. Young Kudzanai Dhemere and Raphael Manuvire were the attacking midfielders and although the cohesion was much netter, an equaliser proved elusive.

Ngezi Platinum started their campaign for a maiden league title on a positive note after a 2-0 win over battling Herentals.

Midfielder Walter Mukanga opened the scoring on 66 minutes before Keith Murera wrapped up victory three minutes from time for the ambitious miners.

In Harare, Yadah FC came from two goals down to escape with a point against promoted Bulawayo Chiefs.

Moses Majika and Perfect Chikwende scored a goal each inside three first-half minutes to put Chiefs two up. Ralph Matema pulled one back just before the break to give Yadah some hope and Brian Madzokere then netted the leveller with two minutes to go.

Ten-men Bulawayo City meanwhile had double scorer Ishmael Wadi to thank as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Chapungu United.

Wadi, who snubbed interest from both Dynamos and CAPS United during the close season, headed home a Morris Kadzola cross barely 20 minutes into the new season to put City ahead.

The former FC Platinum man then completed his double eight minutes from time with a neat tap in off a Toto Banda cross

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