Controversy dogs CAPS defeat to Hwange

From Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange

Hwange………………………(1) 2  CAPS United………………………(0)1

A brace by veteran striker Gilbert Zulu powered Chipangano to victory over a battling 10-man CAPS United.

The match had a number of talking points with the visitors crying foul, but Hwange ensured that big goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda would leave the Colliery a disappointed man despite firing home another wonder goal from a free-kick.

The Green Machine had a goal disallowed in the first half, a penalty that went against them and provoked protests that led to midfielder Stephen Alimenda getting a red card when the game was still delicately balanced at 1-1.

CAPS United coach Moses Chunga was livid at the end of the game at what he perceived as biased officiating. “Even if I tell you my comments, will it be published? You watched the game like me so go on and write what you saw,” he said before walking away.

Zulu coolly slotted home a penalty in the 31st minute before finishing off Makepekepe with a brilliant lob in the 82nd minute, while CAPS United had drawn level with an incredible free-kick, fired from within the centre circle area by giant goalkeeper Sibanda in the 48th minute.

Hwange started the match with all guns blazing and, with memories still fresh from a 1-3 drubbing by Highlanders at Barbourfields last Wednesday, they were on the offensive and missed two glorious chances in the first 10 minutes with Zulu and Fortune Ncube coming short.

Moses Chunga’s side recovered and in the 10th minute Chibwiro embarked on a mazy run on the right flank and sent in a good cross only for captain Mavern Samaneka to miss with a headed effort just a few metres from goal.

Defender Gilbert Mapemba forced a fine save from Timothy Sibanda on the half hour mark before tempers flared in the 31st minute when Hwange were awarded a penalty after Edmore Chafungamoyo was adjudged to have handled inside the box.

Referee Bekezela Makeka awarded the spot-kick and the CAPS United players and technical crew protested against the decision. When sanity was restored, Zulu stepped up to send Sibanda the wrong way with a well-taken spot kick.

The big goalkeeper denied Hwange a second goal six minutes later when he used his huge left hand to stop an effort from Rodwell Chinyengetere from crossing the line after the striker had benefited from fine work by Zulu.

There was time for more drama in the 41st minute when Clive Kawinga thought he had brought his team back on level terms but his effort was ruled out by the raised flag of the second assistant Peter Simutenda who spotted an infringement on goalkeeper (Timothy) Sibanda. This again provoked furious protests from CAPS United players and their bench.

Three minutes after the breather, Makepekepe equalised with a gem of a goal, fired home by their goalkeeper whose stunning free-kick, from just outside the centre circle, flew past the Hwange wall, as if it didn’t exist and hit the left upright before nestling home past the diving Sibanda. This will surely be, with no doubt one of the contenders for the goal of the season.

The visitors could have raced into the lead moments later but Joel Lupahla, cold as freezer from the first minute, watched in disbelief as his clever chip drew the best out of Sibanda who acrobatically tipped it over the bar. Substitute Courage Denias was then denied by Sibanda again, from close range, in the 74th minute, before the CAPS United’s world crashed on them two minutes later when combative midfielder Stephen Alimenda was shown a red card by Makeka for foul language.

Crucially, Alimenda might miss the big Harare derby against Dynamos scheduled for this coming weekend. The hosts then used their numerical advantage and piled pressure and were rewarded in the 82nd minute when substitute Tongai Mamina released Zulu who cleverly chipped over the advancing (Edmore) Sibanda and Makepekepe’s fate was sealed.

Hwange coach Tennant Chilumba was a relieved man.

“It was a tough match which we had to fight hard for this result but my boys were always under a lot of pressure to win. The season is drawing to an end and we need to pick up points and our title campaign is very much alive,” he said

Teams:

Hwange: T. Sibanda, M. Chipunza, J. Kapenya, D. Borowondo, G. Ndhlovu, N. Tshuma(W. Muhango 80th min), F. Ncube(S. Jongwe .66th min), A. Tshuma, G. Zulu, R. Chinyengetere, S. Njeleza(T. Mamina60th min)

CAPS United: E. Sibanda, G. Mapemba, R. Sengu, N. Khanye, E. Chafungamoyo, S. Alimenda, J. Luphahla(C. Denias 53th min), M. Samaneka.(D. Walaza 80th min), L. Chibwiro( F. Addu 62th min), C. Kawinga, P. Tafirenyika.

Results

Sunday:

Monomotapa 2, Gunners 2

Kiglon 0, FC Victoria 2

Hwange 2, CAPS 1

Bantu Rovers 0, Dynamos 2

Saturday:

Motor Action 2, Douglas Warriors 0

Shooting Stars 0, Highlanders 1

Eagles 1, Black Mambas 1

Friday:

Lengthens 2, Shabanie 1