Caps Utd pip Lengthens to reach Sup8r final

By Eddie Chikamhi

CAPS Utd ………. 0 Lengthens ……….. 0 (CAPS Utd won 3-2 after penalties)

Cup Kings CAPS United edged closer to their second BancABC Sup8r title after edging out defending champions Lengthens in a tightly contested semi-final tie at Rufaro yesterday.

The match which had finished goalless in regulation time had to be decided by a shootout after the teams failed to break the deadlock at the expiry of the additional 30 minutes of extra time.

CAPS United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda — who was thrown into the fray as a late replacement for the otherwise impressive Itai Chiwara — turned the hero for the Green Machine when he saved two spot kicks and converted one.

Captain Nyasha Mukumbi and fellow defender Danger Fourpence scored the other two kicks while Lengthens skipper Godfrey Moyo and exciting substitute Norest Mkwezaramba were on target for the Happy People.

Lengthens had scored their first two kicks, but goalkeeper Gonese who had stopped Marvel Samaneka and Gilbert Mapemba’s kicks crashed his effort against the crossbar while Philip Makanje and Arnold Chiveya failed to beat Sibanda.

The big CAPS United goalkeeper who was brought in with only a minute remaining ostensibly to bolster the team for the shootout carried the day when he dived to his left to save Chiveya’s effort as Lengthens missed their last three kicks.

The Green Machine — inaugural winners of the tournament after getting the better of the same opponents in a crunch final in 2008 — will now meet either of Highlanders or Dynamos in a dream final of a competition that had been dogged by controversy since the quarter-final games burst into life.

Highlanders and Dynamos had featured in another incident packed semi-final that was abandoned after 73 minutes after Bosso walked off to protest a penalty awarded to DeMbare.

But there was no such chaos as CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe guided the Cup Kings to his first final as coach. CAPS United somehow appear to either reserve their best for cup games and when they are not at their best they ride on their luck.

It was a case of CAPS United riding their luck yesterday as a youthful Lengthens gave them a good run for their money. Chitembwe was a relieved man after his side had survived dangerous attempts from a fired up Lengthens, thanks to heroic saves from goalkeeper Chiwara.

“I must give credit to Lengthens. They battled hard but I am happy we managed to get a good result that we needed. It’s very important that we do whatever we can to get a good result.”

“Sibanda (Edmore) really served his purpose well because he got in there and took the responsibility. He is still our first choice goalkeeper and I don’t doubt him,” said Chitembwe.

CAPS United had their first attempt when Lengthens defenders failed to clear a high free kick from David Sengu in the 15th minute and Gonese had to fumble a save in a crowded area.

Makepekepe were back again in the 28th minute when Clive Kawinga dispossessed Levison Banda on the flank but his shot was smothered by goalkeeper Gonese. Lengthens came close in the 37th minute but Tawanda Muyendi headed over the bar from a corner by Makanje.

The Happy People played with great determination and had kept alive their hopes for a third successful final appearance with a brilliant performance by taking the game to the dreaded shootout.

Dimunitive midfielder Mkwezaramba who was voted Man of the Match raised the game for Lengthens after he was introduced in the 75th minute. The Happy People played their hearts out but failed to take their chances with strikers Tawanda Muyendi and Charlton Nyapfuri getting constant supplies upfront especially in the second half.

It only seemed unfair for the Happy People to leave the pitch with heavy hearts after losing it all with the last kick of the day. Coach Jostein Mathuthu believes CAPS United were lucky to survive the first 90 minutes of the game. 

Mathuthu said he was impressed by the overall performance of his team despite the defeat and felt Chiwara had made the difference in regulation time.

“I am really pleased with the boys. We had numerous chances that we should have put away but their goalkeeper kept them in the game. ” I think we should have beaten them in regulation time but the difference was that they are more experienced than us,” Mathuthu said.

CAPS United, who needed another penalty lottery to win the quarter-final replay against Shooting Stars two weeks ago, fired blanks again and had no goals to show for their industry especially in the first half which they dominated.

Goalkeeper Chiwara who got the nod ahead of Warriors’ Sibanda made two crucial saves within four minutes to keep CAPS United in contention during extra time.

Chiwara was in splendid form yesterday and he tipped over the crossbar a lobbed effort by substitute Misheck Mburayi in the 105th minute when the Lengthens striker had broken loose and raced into space.

He was the hero again few moments later when Makanje outpaced his markers and chipped over the advancing goalkeeper but Chiwara somehow managed to get his fingers on the ball and tip it out for a corner.

Lengthens skipper Moyo and Stephen Matsangaise did well to completely shut out new CAPS United recruit Kawinga who received support from Courage Denias upfront.

CAPS United midfielder Marvel Samaneka caused trouble for Lengthens early in the game with some brilliant runs from the middle of the park but Makepekepe just could not finish off their build-ups.

His midfield companions Joel Luphahla and Stephen Alimenda struggled with their game losing the battles to Makanje, the rejuvenated Joram Matselele and Patrick Nhamo.

Team lineups

CAPS United: I. Chiwara (E. Sibanda 119th minute), D. Sengu (F. Addo 56th min), D. Walaza, G. Mapemba, D. Fourpence, N. Mukumbi. S. Alimenda, J. Luphahla (P. Tafirenyika 56th minute), C Denias, M. Samaneka, C. Kawinga.

Lengthens: M. Gonese, L. Banda (T. Tsvangirai 119th minute), A. Chiveya, G. Moyo, S. Matsangaise, J. Matselele, M. Chipunza (N. Mkwezaramba 75th minute), P. Nhamo, T. Muyendi, C. Nyapfuri (M. Mburayi 95th minute).