Dubious penalty helps CAPS against Kiglon

By Grace Chingoma

CAPS United……………….(0)2         Kiglon………..…(1)2

Troubled CAPS United needed a dubious penalty in the last minute to get a share of the spoils against impressive Kiglon in a Premiership tie at Rufaro yesterday, as pressure mounts on coach Lloyd Chitembwe. The former champions twice came from behind to avoid a second defeat in four days after losing 1-0 to Motor Action in a midweek game.

Harare referee Norman Matemera’s questionable decision to award the Green Machine a penalty in the 88th minute saved the day for Chitembwe and his charges who played second fiddle to Kiglon all afternoon.

But the tipping point of the match came when Matemera, who had a hell of an afternoon on the field, adjudged that defender Gift Bello had handled inside the box when it clearly appeared that the ball had came off the defender’s chest.

But credit should go to “little” Kiglon who beat Highlanders 1-0 during the midweek and have managed draws against log leaders Motor Action, champions Gunners and Dynamos, as they continued with their fine run against the traditional big teams.

Lloyd Mutasa’s men surged ahead just after 10 minutes through midfielder Samuel Chitsamba before CAPS United levelled terms five minutes after the breather via substitute Last Chibwiro.

Kiglon seized the lead again barely five minutes after CAPS United’s equaliser through striker Martin Vengesayi. They had appeared headed for their fourth victory of the season, but CAPS United controversially survived when Chibwiro completed his brace from the spot just before the full time whistle.

The equaliser was hardly celebrated by CAPS United fans who had expressed their dissatisfaction by waving coach Lloyd Chitembwe goodbye towards the end of the game. The result however, might have come as a temporary relief to the under-fire coach whose future at the Green Machine is now uncertain following the team’s poor returns.

While Chitembwe heaved a sigh of relief, Kiglon coach Lloyd Mutasa was clearly not amused by the penalty awarded to CAPS and was ejected from the bench after he insulted the referee in rage.

Mutasa had initially managed to restrain himself when he sprinkled “holy waters” on goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu as he prepared to save the spot kick, but after the conversion the former DeMbare midfielder insulted Matemera and was duly given the marching orders.

Tempers flared at the end of the match as Kiglon felt hard done and mobbed the referee who had to be escorted off the pitch by the police after the final whistle. Kiglon team manager Confidence Munyuki lamented the poor standards of refereeing and said bad officiating affects the spirit of football.

“It is unfortunate that the referee decided the match today. It is so disappointing for the players who played very well and have done enough to beat CAPS United.

“The players have gelled and are now enjoying their football. But we will continue picking up points,” he said.

The football gods were just not on Kiglon’s side as they also felt the referee denied them a clear penalty in the eighth minute when Martin Vengesayi was tackled from behind by CAPS United defender Danger Fourpence as he was going for the kill.

The referee simply waved play on and CAPS survived.

But two minutes later, the referee awarded Kiglon a free kick after their player was brought down in similar fashion on the right flank. Winger Dominic Benati flighted in a brilliant delivery and Chitsamba headed home to give Kiglon an early lead.

CAPS could have found their equaliser in the first half when Courage Denias dribbled past Bello in the 36th minute and sent a good cross into the box but Clive Kawinga failed to bury the chance.

After the breather, substitute Joel Luphaphla’s cross from the right flank found Chibwiro and the former Motor Action player scrambled the ball home for the equaliser.

Makepekepe however, appeared to have celebrated too soon as Kiglon struck again when Vengesayi got to the end of a ball and chipped over the drawn out goalkeeper Itai Chiwara.

The goal appeared to have killed CAPS United’s fighting spirit and Kiglon began enjoying passing football with Denver Mukamba and Thomas Magorimbo a marvel to watch whole afternoon.

CAPS United appeared clueless to stop Kiglon’s neat passing game and were left to chase shadows in the middle of the park.

The performance might have left some former CAPS United players who are now playing in South Africa and were watching from the stands wondering what has really gone wrong at the club.

Team Line Ups

CAPS United: I. Chiwara, N. Mukumbi, D. Fourpence, D. Walaza, G. Mapemba, S. Alimenda, T. Goredema (L. Chibwiro 29th minute), G. Mangani, M. Samaneka, C. Denias (Y. Ebabali 56th minute) C. Kawinga (J. Luphaphla 46th minute).

Kiglon: M. Nyamupangedengu, V. Madamombe, G. Bello, D. Chafa, S. Chitsamba, T. Magorimbo, V. Mkudo (W. Manondo 85th minute), D. Mukamba, D. Benati(E. Marvellous 59th minute), E. Chitato, M. Vengesai.