Caps United share spoils with Monomotapa

By Augustine Hwata

CAPS United………………………..0

Monomotapa………………………..0

TAURAI Mangwiro’s first meeting with his former side Monomotapa ended in a draw in this Castle Lager Premiership derby at Rufaro yesterday. Mangwiro parted ways with Monoz at the beginning of August and he has since found a new home at CAPS United where he is the head coach.

With a little bit of luck and better team cohesion, CAPS United could have left Rufaro with three points although Monomotapa too, felt that they were also unlucky to drop two points. In the end a draw appeared the fairest result.

Both teams played a passing game and at times tried to hit their opponents on counter attacks as they showed all determination to score. Edmore Chafungamoyo made several long-range attempts in the first half while Ronald Chitiyo kept the CAPS United defence anxious.

Monomotapa came into this match with their heads high after beating Highlanders 3-0 at the same venue last weekend.

“It was an emotional game for me because I put a lot of effort to assemble that team but I am happy for them because the guys like Nzou (Biggie Zuze), Nkhulu (Dhlamini) and (George) Jojo have shown continuity.

“They have done a decent job and its coming to fruition and I want to wish them well. I am happy because that the product I had worked with is coming to fruition.

“Now I am at CAPS United and I want to equip the same kind of knowledge to the players. I am happy that the guys at CAPS United are catching up faster than I had anticipated,” said Mangwiro.

Mangwiro said he was pleased to collect a point at the end of the day.

“I am happy with the point that we got but at the end of the day we could also see that the Monomotapa guys gave it all and were ready to compete. Our finishing still leaves a lot to be desired and I was not too pleased with the cohesion in the middle of the park.

“The guys got off to a good very start but as the game progressed people like Charlie (Chiutsa) who lacked game time they fizzled as the game moved on,” said Mangwiro.

Mangwiro has now gone on a six-game unbeaten run and believes the Green Machine will stay clear of relegation.

“We are heading in the right direction if we can maximise on our finishing. There are still five games to go and we do not want to work on permutations but want to finish the job on our own now. We are nearly there and if we can get at least two successive wins that can consolidate our position on the log,” he said.

Monoz coach Biggie Zuze, said he is still aiming for a decent finish at the top. We are still fighting for the league and anything can happen.

“There is 15 points to play for and that is five games. I think I am happy with the way we played today but we struggled a little bit. We created chances but luck was not on our side otherwise we could have picked one or two goals,” Zuze said.

Osborne Mukuradare who destroyed Highlanders last weekend failed to reproduce the same spark although he had his own moments where he could have scored. Zuze believed that his striker had buckled under a lot or expectations following his hat-trick last week.

“It was too much for him, he wanted to do a lot but I am happy that he did not play badly. As a striker, he wanted to score but it was not so today,” said Zuze.

Twice Monoz also struck the upright and the cross bar as they sought a break-through that proved elusive all afternoon in a game that was beamed live on SuperSport 9. The Herald

Teams:

CAPS United: I. Chiwara, E. Chafungamoyo, T. Kumbuyani, B. Zabula, C. Chiutsa (W. Pakamisa 60th min), A. Chivheya, L. Fiyado, S. Kawondera (N. Mpala 53rd min), T. Munyaduri, R. Kutsanzira, P. Tafirenyika (C. Kawinga min),

Monomotapa: A. Mukandi, N. Melson, M. Mangombe, J. Tigere (B. Mapfumo 19th min), O. Mukuradare, O. Mwerahari, R. Madamombe, K. Musharu (J. Mutambirwa 60th min), T. Ngulube, R. Chitiyo, H. Mugoniwa, (M. Kawashu 82nd min )