BY BHEKIMPILO WEZA
Zamalek Football Club collected their first win of the season after beating Legends 5-2 in an entertaining Chidobe Kachecheti Football League (Chika) match on Saturday.
Zamalek, who had failed to get a single point in their two opening matches, made a clear statement to other top teams in the league by outclassing a determined Legends at Zamalek Stadium.
They got their opener in the 27th minute through hard working captain Derrick Weza, who headed home from an unmarked cross.
In the second half things nearly turned bad as Legends quickly equalised through Witness Muyulwa after poor goalkeeping from Zamalek young goalkeeper Brandon Ncube.
Three minutes later it was 1-2 for Legends with Muyulwa scoring a second after Zamalek defender Passmore Ngwenya misjudged a high ball, which fell onto Muyulwa to hit it first time past the goalkeeper.
After the goal, the Zamalek coach made very crucial substitutions by taking out Wisdom Weza and Simon Mathe for Anele Ngwenya and Ray Chembekedza.
He also switched defenders and strikers, a decision that paid off as Zamalek hit three goals in a space of five minutes through man of the match British Weza before Praymore Ncube completed the rout three minutes before time.
The win took Zamalek up from second at the bottom to fifth with a game in hand.
Meanwhile, at Edibheni Stadium Dragons were in a mood of their own when they dispatched Mopane 3-0 in an exciting match played on Sunday.
Dragons played one of their best matches so far this season as they were all over Mopane, who also fought hard to keep the scoreline respectable.
They took the lead after their striker Betto was brought down 10 minutes before the break and Abel Dube took the resultant free kick and beat the Mopane goal minder from 30 meters out.
The goal, which was easier to handle than miss, angered the Mopane camp as they felt that the keeper deliberately let it in.
In the second half Dragons continued from where they left with a beautiful header from Njabulo Ndlovu after a perfect delivery from Simanga Ncube, who beat two defenders before delivering a cross from the right.
The cross found Ndlovu in the right position to nod home.
Ten minutes later it was Simanga’s turn for a Ndlovu cross.
Ndlovu weaved his way past Blessing Maseko and laid a sitter for Simanga to simply tape home the third and a final sucker punch for Mopane.
The loss was Mopane third after three games and it brought disbelief to coach Arthwell Moyo’s chargers and some sections of their supporters are already calling for his head.
After the final whistle the team captain gathered the players together and spoke harshly to the youngsters who despite defeats, have been brilliant on the pitch.
In another match Ajax beat stubborn Ziyabaluma 2-0 at Sinyore Stadium with Lupinyo Bullets walloping Power Giants 5-0 to keep in touch with leaders Masters on nine points, but they remain second because of goal difference.