Bantu Rovers beat Caps United

From Ricky Zililo in Bulawayo

Bantu Rovers……. (0) 2 CAPS United…… (1) 1

TWO fantastic second half goals by Danny Phiri and substitute Mkhululi Moyo propelled Bantu Rovers to victory over CAPS United in a CBZ Premiership match at Barbourfields yesterday.

Diminutive Zambian striker Clive Mwale had put CAPS United into the lead in the 32nd minute but Bantu Rovers came back into contention, displaying a flawless show in the second half to seal victory.

The outcome of the match meant that Bantu Rovers eased their relegation woes as they took their points tally to 35 from 28 matches.

Yesterday’s defeat also ended CAPS United’s faint hopes of sneaking from behind to grab the league title from under the noses of Dynamos and Gunners.

Mwale’s goal came as a result of a blind pass by Lincoln Siwela who had a bad day in the office.

Siwela’s blind pass allowed CAPS United right back Gilbert Mapemba to send a cross to Nyasha Mushekwi and the Premiership’s top scorer unselfishly laid the ball on to Mwale who fired past Washington Arubi.

Phiri then found the equaliser in the 53rd minute with a stunning 25-metre drive that beat CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda all systems out.

CAPS United had failed to deal with a Moreblessings Nyokanhete corner allowing Phiri to take a long shot at goal.

Moyo headed home the winner in the 60th minute when he got to the end of a perfect cross by Nyokanhete who had worked his way past Mapemba.

Bantu Rovers managed to hold on to the lead and they celebrated the goal as if they had won the championship.

The match had started at an electric pace with CAPS United dominating the first half.

The former champions were unlucky not to take the lead in the third minute when Mushekwi’s left foot pile drive hit the crossbar with Arubi a beaten man.

The Warriors striker had received a defence splitting pass from Mwale.

CAPS United exhibited some great football, dictating the game’s pace, knocking the ball around trying everything on the book to open Bantu Rovers but they just could not find the breakthrough.

Their midfield quartet of Lionel Mtizwa, Ashley Rambanepasi, Oscar Machapa and Tafadzwa Rusike outplayed Bantu Rovers’ in the first half.

The home side’s first raid came in the 25th minute when Thabani Moyo got to the end of a long free-kick by Gilbert Majoni but Sibanda easily dealt with the ball.

The goal was always coming for CAPS United and they were rewarded in the 32nd minute when Mwale volleyed home past Arubi.

The goal unsettled Bantu Rovers as they continued to play second fiddle to the ball every time.

Tshintsha Guluva returned from half time a more determined side as they took the game away from CAPS United.

CAPS United seemed to have burnt out, with their midfield, which was enjoying the first half going into a slumber.

Nyokanhete kept KepeKepe Bhora’s defence on their toes and Bantu were finally rewarded in the 53rd minute when a classic volley by Phiri beat a diving Sibanda.

The home side continued with their attack and Methembe Ndlovu’s youthful team took control of the game.

Bantu Rovers played 15-year-old Marvelous Nakamba for over 50 minutes before the teenager made way for Moyo.

Moyo then obliged by scoring the winner on the hour, just three minutes after coming from the bench to send Bantu Rovers fans into a frenzy. CAPS United crept back into the game, tried to look for an equaliser but Bantu Rovers held on.

Bantu Rovers head coach Gift Lunga was happy with the win and gave credit to his players for the victory.

“This is a good win for us. We stood our ground and fought to the final whistle. CAPS United are a good side and arguably the best assembled team on the land but I am glad we showed some great character.

” Now we are targeting a top eight-finish and we are going to fight to the wire,” said Lunga.

Teams

Bantu Rovers: W. Arubi, H. Dick, D. Ndlovu, G. Majoni, K. Moyo, D. Phiri, G. Ncube, A. Tshuma, M. Nakamba (M. Moyo, 57th minute), T. Moyo (E. Dube. 79th minute), L. Siwela (M. Nyokanhete, 37th minute).

CAPS United: E. Sibanda, G. Mapemba, O. Machapa (T. Nyamadzawo, 73rd minute), P. Marime, N. Mushekwi, L. Mtizwa, C. Mwale (D. Fourpence, 85th minute), M. Mwanjali, A. Rambanepasi, T. Rusike (L. Tsipa. 80th minute), D. Walaza.