THE JOY OF VICTORY . . . A CAPS United fan, who could barely contain himself, stormed onto the pitch at the end of the game yesterday to embrace Dominic Mukandi as the Green Machine celebrated a priceless win that took them within just a point of leaders Highlanders
Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter—
CAPS United …(0)2
Hwange …………(1)1
FOR the better part of the first half, CAPS United looked ordinary — a team with a huge weight on its shoulders that appeared to wilt in the suffocating heat of a battle that presented them a golden carrot of catching up with bitter rivals Dynamos.
Visitors Hwange, in contrast, were full of life and adventure and, sensing the confusion in the ranks of their hosts, took full advantage and were full value of a lead that, in the event of victory, would have kept them top of the Castle Lager Premiership table.
Then, the Green Machine was revved into life, after the break, with coach Taurai Mangwiro, making a shrewd change, adding a third man in his final line of attack at the expense of a midfielder, and the rewards were handsome.
For good measure Leonard Fiyado even scored a wonder goal for the winner and CAPS United had eased, with few people giving them attention, into third place with exactly the same number of points as champions Dynamos.
The Big Three — Highlanders, Dynamos and CAPS United — occupy the top three positions in this marathon, as it edges closer to the halfway mark, and with a Harare Derby looming on the horizon in two weeks time, it’s getting interesting.
DeMbare are never far away from the conversation, every time CAPS United play, and that is understandable, given the feisty rivalry between the two giants and the fact that the Glamour Boys have set the benchmark in winning the last three league titles.
It wasn’t a surprise, really, that the common phrase that was trending at the National Sports Stadium yesterday, among CAPS United fans, was “Bring On DeMbare”.
For 45 minutes yesterday, their team didn’t provide anything to back that bravado and looked very much the side that had imploded at Highlanders and at Ascot against Chapungu.
But something has changed at CAPS United in recent weeks and they came back from the break a different side and powered to their third straight win.
Fiyado scored a beauty, and was duly praised by his coach, for providing the inspiration after a first half in which his lifeless performance certainly mirrored his team’s poor show.
The striker rose to the stage when Makepekepe needed something special to turn the game on its head after the Green Machine had recovered from a slow start in the first half.
Hwange dominated the first 45 minutes of the match and duly took the lead in the 21st minute through veteran forward Gilbert Zulu.
However, Dominic Chungwa, reported to be on his way out of the Green Machine in return for a fat cheque from FC Platinum, levelled the scores soon after the restart when he bundled the ball home at the near post.
Fiyado sealed the win with his first goal of the season, struck with a great deal of power and precision, from just outside the box.
“He has been struggling but the overall performance from him was good since we started the season,” said Mangwiro.
“Today he got his first goal, it’s a matter of perseverance and we told him to keep working hard. I’m sure it will help his confidence going into the second round of matches.”
Makepekepe got off to slow start and had to absorb the pressure from their restive supporters who were whistling in disapproval in the first period.
CAPS United chased the game for most of the time and they needed strong revitalisation in the second half.
The coalminers took the lead after CAPS United goalkeeper Joram Muchambo punched back a shot from a free-kick taken by Isaac Masame from outside the box and Zulu quickly pounced on the rebound before the hosts could clear their lines.
Hwange appeared determined to take back home maximum points and a return to the top of the table after they were toppled by Dynamos the previous day.
The prospects looked bright earlier in the tie as they relentlessly pressed forward with Farai Vimisayi, Evans Rusike, Masame and Zulu causing problems for the hosts.
However, Chungwa’s strike was crucial in the Green Machine’s fight back after the forward benefited from a goalkeeping error by Takabva Mawaya, who was in goals for the visitors.
Mawaya made a mess of a clearance as Chungwa grabbed his sixth league goal for Makepekepe after beating his marker to a low cross by Pervington Zimunya after the interval.
The goal ignited wild celebrations on the terraces and with the supporters fully behind them, Makepekepe just took the game to their opponents from then on.
Hwange defended frantically but the goalkeeper could not do anything to stop Fiyado’s screamer in the 59th minute after the defenders had made a partial clearance just outside the box.
Mangwiro was happy with the way the Green Machine fought back to maintain their winning streak at the National Sports Stadium.
CAPS United have collected all 15 points in the five matches they have played at their home ground this season.
The win yesterday lifted them three places up the ladder to third on the log standings behind rivals Dynamos and Highlanders.
Crucially, they managed to slash the gap between them and the log leaders Highlanders to just one point, as they are now tied on 23 points with Dynamos.
“It was important for us to get three points so that we stay within touching distance of the leading pack.
“We have had three consecutive wins now and we are high in confidence. We are looking to our next game with a positive spirit,” said Mangwiro.
Hwange coach Nation Dube, was disappointed by the loss after his side fell to a second straight defeat.
The coal miners lost 1-0 to Chicken Inn in their last assignment at the Colliery and they have now slipped to fourth on the log standings with 22 points.
Dube said their defence let them down in the second half.
“We missed a lot of chances and I feel (in the first half) that’s when we could have wrapped up the game. In the second half we went to sleep,” said Dube.
Teams:
CAPS United: J. Muchambo, T. Khumbuyani, R. Pfumbidzai, D. Chipala, S. Makatuka, T. Samanja, M. Muchenje (I. Thindwa, 56th minute), P. Zimunya, H. Zvirekwi, D. Chungwa (D. Mukandi, 69th minute), L. Fiyado (G. Mangani, 90th minute)
Hwange: T. Mawaya, P. Dube, M. Mungadze, G. Ndlovu, D. Boriwondo, A. Chuma, F. Vimisayi (N. Sianchale, 83rd minute), O. Lungu (M. Mpofu, 61st minute), G. Zulu, I Masame (T. Chese, 72nd minute), E. Rusike.