Black Mambas bite relegation bound CAPS United
By Fatima Bulla
Black Mambas………………….(0) 1
CAPS United………………….. (0) 0
The relegation drum-beats seem to be getting louder for CAPS United each week following another agonising loss to a 63rd minute strike by their former player Last Chibwiro at Morris Depot that condemned the former champions to a sixth straight defeat in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League on Saturday.
“Warumwa Warumwa” could have made it 2-0 in front of their home supporters who were, however, out-numbered by the Green Machine multitude, but failed to convert a penalty in the 28th minute.
Usually reliable forward Kasimero Chimbadzwa hit the upright post from the spot and Nicholas “Tico-Tico’’ Alifandika’s rebound gave little trouble to Muzondiwa Gonese, in goals for CAPS United, who dived in the same direction.
This was however after Tapiwa Kumbuyani had fouled Chibwiro in the penalty area leaving referee Batsirai Muchenje with no choice but to point to the spot.
One wonders if Makepekepe still know how to win as even the charm of Taurai Mangwiro has failed to produce the results after last week’s 0-2 defeat to Kevin Kaindu’s super-charged Highlanders. An emphatic nine losses, four draws and five wins in 18 games is proof enough that CAPS United need to up their game to avoid relegation at the end of the season.
Their blunt strike force has contributed the least to the team’s tally of 15 goals, while the defence has shipped in 20 goals to date. On Saturday it was former club regular Chibwiro who decided to rub in more salt on the CAPS United wound when he responded well to a Chimbadzwa pass that found him close to the penalty area.
Oozing with confidence, Chibwiro sent in a forceful long drive that even a diving Gonese could do nothing to prevent from settling in the net. It was painful for a team that had controlled the better part of the first 45 minutes as they made the police team’s half virtually their camping area but were overpowered in the middle of the park.
Blessing Zabula saw his header saved by Tonderai Mateyaunga in the 22nd minute while Alifandika and Chimbadzwa made themselves culprits as they took turns to miss chances in an exposed Green Machine defence in the 26th minute.
Mateyaunga had to make a double save from David Rediyoni and Hardlife Zvirekwi’s attacks 10 minutes before the end as the Green Machine tried to salvage something out of the tie. CAPS United gaffer Taurai Mangwiro conceded that a lack of co-ordination hurt his team.
“It is a disappointing result as we thought that we were going to win. I thought we did fairly well what we were supposed to do, although we fell short in defence. We were in control of the match but became exposed after (Douglas) Walaza was cautioned leaving him to play cautiously. I think if we keep dropping points like this we will fight relegation but we are not losing hope,” Mangwiro said.
Mambas coach John “Toto” Ncube’s assistant Martin Bonongwe went home a satisfied man. “Everyone knows we are in the relegation zone but we are confident of pulling out as you can see with the results we are achieving,” said Bonongwe, whose side beat Quelaton 1-0 in Bulawayo last week.
Teams
Black Mambas: T.Mateyaunga, I.Nyoni, T.Muswere, F.Banda, L.Chibwiro, B.Nyahunzvi, T.Chinungo, C.Hungwe, N.Alifandika, K.Chimbadzwa, S.Mutenheri
CAPS United: M.Gonese, H.Zvirekwi, B.Zebula, D.Walaza (M.Samaneka 73rd), D.Rediyoni (S.Kaondera 59th ), T.Munyanduri, N.Mukumbi, R.Kutsanzira (W.Pakamisa 83rd), T.Kumbuyani, E.Gwekwerere, L.Fiyado.
