Dominic destroyer

By Eddie Chikamhi

CAPS United forward Dominic Chungwa, who has been blowing hot and cold this season, delivered a special message to his critics yesterday when he struck a beauty of a goal at the National Sports Stadium to help the defending champions beat ZPC Kariba and tame an ugly run of five winless matches.

Chungwa, who was on target again last week in the 2-3 defeat to Harare City, had the plaudits of both the Mekepekepe fans and neutrals with his 61st minute wonder strike.

The win was a big relief to the Green Machine who were getting restless by the day after losing four of their last matches and drawing one.

It may not have been the best performance by the champions yesterday, but CAPS United assistant coach Fungai Tostao Kwashi could not hide the ecstasy and the relief in their dressing room.

But it was not so with ZPC Kariba as the result left their veteran coach Sunday Chidzambwa threatening to quit after a series of poor performances by his charges.

Kwashi, on the other hand, was happy with the spirit displayed by the Green Machine who had started the match on an electric pace and testing their opponents several times in the opening minutes.

“The lads fought brilliantly today. They fought brilliantly today. They gave everything to the club. They rented their hearts out and I think we deserved to win the game.

“If you look at the statistics, we had the most crosses in the game, we created the most chances. So it was a just a matter of time before we got the breakthrough. First half we had about 13 crosses and it was just that touch to the back of the nets.

“Well done to Dominic Chungwa as well for a brilliant strike and we are happy,” said Kwashi.

“Right now the feeling in the camp is healthy. We are happy, we are jovial. We have been used to winning every time but in football sometimes you have to go through a bad patch.

“Before going into the game today I was thinking what I was going to say to you guys after the win because I had the winning feeling in me.

“So we are elated with the win but at the same time we have to look forward to our next game against Tsholotsho, which is another tough game.

“The games are coming thick and fast for us now. We are grateful for the win. We are humbled by it but we are not getting carried away as well because of this win.

“Yes, it was a very important win, an ugly win, we wanted it, we loved it, three points in the bag and we are never satisfied with ourselves. We will go back and keep working hard. We are praying harder,” Kwashi said.

With chances few and far between at both ends of goal, Makepekepe were the closest from scoring in the first half when Hardlife Zvirekwi’s in-swinger from the corner kick sparked commotion in a crowded box and was deflected to the crossbar. Midfielder Joel Ngodzo, John Zhuwawu and Ronald Pfumbidzai who ventured more into attack yesterday also had shots towards goal but were lacking precision.

But on a day when nothing seemed to be working for both teams, Chungwa conjured up the talking point of the afternoon when he collected a loose ball just outside the box, looked up once to pick his spot and then unleashed a rising shot that had the power and the pace to beat an otherwise impressive goalkeeper, Tendai Hove, for Makepeke’s winner.

Raphael Manuvire and Limited Chikafa were also threatening on the other end but CAPS United’s defence was tight.

The failure by ZPC Kariba to get maximum points in their third game on the trot following goalless draws against How Mine and Yadah was a huge cause for emotional torment for their coach Chidzambwa. The veteran coach accused his players of lacking the fighting spirit and challenged them to step up or he quits.

“We never fought and as a result we never created any meaningful chances. We only started to come into the game when CAPS United had already scored. Congratulations to CAPS United for the way they fought for the three points. They fought from the word go until the final whistle.

“That’s how a team wins points. My team started fighting when we were a goal down. You don’t expect to win in those kind of situations. So I think we have to go back and look at ourselves in the mirror and tell ourselves the truth whether we want to play or not. The Herald