By FELIX MALUNGA –

At Nkana Golf Club
ZAMBIA’S Aaron Simfukwe jnr yesterday shot an amazing four-under-par 69 as Zimbabwe opened up a nine-stroke lead after two rounds of the inaugural Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) President’s Cup in Kitwe.
Having started his campaign on three-over-par 76 on Tuesday, Simfukwe recovered well in yesterday’s second round to leap into joint leadership with Zimbabwe’s Tonderai Masunga in the individual stableford.
The Chilanga golfer with Masunga are ahead on the chart on one-under-par 145 after 36 holes while first day pacesetter, Denmark Mulambo, who shot two-under, crumbled badly in yesterday’s round, hitting a woeful seven-over-par 80.
“It happened today! I had a good game and I thank God for this. I utilised my chances. My putting was excellent and I kept the spirit of fighting up to the end,” Simfukwe said.
But a disappointed Mulambo said: “Today, I just struggled. Honestly speaking, I was disturbed on the second hole. Golf is about etiquette. A Kenyan golfer (I was playing with) was talking to his caddie loudly when I was preparing to take my shot.
It (disturbance) took off my confidence. I just switched off. He was so arrogant that he only said sorry after about three holes. But there is hope for tomorrow.”
Peter Munyinya posted Zambia’s second best score of the day when he shot two-over-par 75 and ensure the hosts remain second in the teams’ championship.
“I played better today than yesterday. I had a good round and managed to control my mistakes,” Munyinya said.
But Zambia captain Timothy Sondashi, who carded 78 on Tuesday, had another bad day in office and this time firing a poor seven-over.
Despite the gap widening against leaders, Zimbabwe, coach Patrick Mwendapole remained optimistic of a better showing today and hope to slash the lead by at least five shots.
“We need to pull back at least five shots tomorrow and hope to catch up on Friday. I know the boys can do it,” Mwendapole, himself a professional golfer, said.
Zimbabwe took full control of the AGC President’s Cup after firing a 440 gross score with Zambia still second on 449, two strokes ahead of Kenya and a further 12 from fourth-placed Malawi.
Heading into today’s third round, Uganda are fifth on 472, two shots better than Tanzania while Namibia and Nigeria have 477 and 532 to take the seventh and eight positions, respectively.
The 2014 AGC President’s Cup, which is contested by eight countries, comes to a close tomorrow.