Chapungu FC Hold Firm, Extend Central Region Command

By Kennedy Khombo

Gweru, Ascot -Chapungu FC continued their impressive march in the 2026 ZIFA Central Region Soccer League  (ZCRSL) campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over a determined Kwekwe United FC in a thrilling top-of-the-table showdown at Ascot Stadium on Sunday afternoon, May 10.

In a contest that fully lived up to its billing, the Waru Waru boys displayed resilience, tactical maturity and attacking quality to preserve their place at the summit of the standings.

The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when the league’s in-form marksman, Edward "Kariba' Watson, rose majestically above the defence to power home a perfectly weighted corner delivery from Talent Dube.

The goal, Watson’s ninth in the 2026 season campaign, further cemented his status as one of the league’s lethal attacking weapons and rewarded Chapungu’s early dominance and relentless pressure.

Chapungu continued to dictate the rhythm of the match with fluid passing, disciplined positioning, and coordinated attacking movement, but Kwekwe United FC remained organised and resilient in defence for large periods of the encounter. 

As the clock was ticking down, the hosts finally found a breathing space in the 89th minute through a moment of pure composure and creativity. 

Talent Dube exchanged intricate passes with Tafadzwa Marufu before slicing through the visitors’ defence and calmly finishing, sending the Chapungu fans who had thronged Ascot Stadium into a frenzy of celebration.

Kwekwe United FC never gave up, they continued fighting and managed to pull one back in the dying minutes of the match through David Chipo after crowding in the Chapungu box, and a defensive lapse by the hosts. 

The late goal brought an end to Chapungu’s extraordinary clean-sheet streak, but could not overshadow the team performance by Tererai Zinyowera’s men.

With the result, Chapungu FC maintain their grip at the top of the log table regardless of results elsewhere, further evidence of a side steadily transforming consistency, unity and belief into a powerful force. 

From defence to attack, the Waru Waru boys continue to play with cohesion, discipline and growing confidence, qualities increasingly making Ascot Stadium a fortress for the blue-and-gold army.

Chapungu partly attributed the won its loyal supporters who thronged Ascot Stadium in huge numbers and created yet another electrifying atmosphere.