By Grace Chingoma
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . .(0)1
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)2
A BEAUTY of a free-kick, struck with both power and precision with just three minutes of regulation time remaining, handed CAPS United yet another home defeat at the hands of Hwange in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Gwanzura yesterday.
Rahman Kutsanzira (right) eyes the ball as he charges clear of FC Platinum’s Charles Sibanda at the National Sports Stadium
Defender, Eric Chipeta, took responsibility after the brave but ill-disciplined coalminers, had been handed a very soft free-kick from an incident that didn’t warrant any punishment. The goal broke the Green Machine hearts and charmed the souls of the travelling coalminers who played with passion.
It was hard to believe they were the same team that had hit a poor patch, managing a single win in 540 minutes of Premiership match, with two of the defeats being at their fortress. Suddenly, they found their touch and turned on the heat in the last game of their first round of fixtures.
Makepekepe stretched their winless run to four games following their 0-1 defeat to pacesetters Highlanders at Barbourfields last weekend and 1-1 stalemates against Black Mambas and Buffaloes. Pressure is back on coach Sean Connor.
Hwange, who were a mockery to the values of Fair Play as they disgraced themselves by challenging every call by the referee, opened the scoring three minutes before the breather when Zambian, Aaron Katebe, powered home off a corner.
Highlanders, Quelaton share spoils
From Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO
Quelaton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
STRUGGLING Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Quelaton brewed a shocker by snatching a point from high-flying Highlanders at Barbourfields on Sunday. It was a game where Highlanders took their unbeaten run run to 14 league games.
Timely interception . . . Chicken Inn’s defender Guide Goddard (left) intercepts a pass intended for Highlanders’ Bruce Kangwa (right) in a Castle Lager Premiership encounter played at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders drew first blood in the 12th minute, through a header by Milton Ncube, who got to the end of a Lawson Nkomo cross from the right. Quelaton’s central defenders, Zibusiso Sibanda and Sikhumbulani Dube, should take the blame for the goal as they remained stagnant and watched Ncube attacking the ball.
However, Quelaton, who are glued at the bottom of the log with five points from 15 games, should also be commended for not throwing in the towel even when they were a goal down. Eddy Nkulungo equalised for Quelaton in the 28th minute with a volley from the edge of the box that beat Highlanders goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda.
Nkulungo had capitalised on a mix-up in the box that saw Bosso failing to clear the ball to safety leaving the midfielder ample time to pick his spot. The goal silenced Highlanders’ followers with a handful of Quelaton sympathisers celebrating. Sunday’s result was the first point for Quelaton gaffer, Philani ‘Beefy’ Ncube, since taking charge five games ago.
He has seen Quelaton lose by an identical 1-0 scorelines to Hardbody, Buffaloes and Dynamos. Before taking on Bosso, Quelaton were smarting from a 3-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Black Mambas.
Teams
Quelaton: W Chiwetu, W Chirambi, S Dube, Z Sibanda, E Nkulungo, I Kutsanzira, G Mleya, K Chakanyuka (M Moyo 45th minute), T Mugumanya, P Zireni, P Ncube
Highlanders: A Sibanda, L Nkomo (A Musasa, 50th minute), E Mudzingwa, D Ndlovu (I Mapuranga, 40th minute), B Kangwa, M Maphosa, P Moyo (B Chikaka, 66th minute), B Ncube, M Ncube, G Ncube, M Mambare
To help maintain editorial independence Nehanda Radio relies on donations from readers like you. No donation is too small or too big. Help by donating to fund our operations.
Loading ...
Comments