CAPS United finish season by beating Shabanie
By Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 2
Shabanie Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Washington Pakamisa and former Warriors talisman Shingi Kawondera scored a goal apiece as Caps United finished a largely forgettable season on a positive note at Rufaro yesterday.
Coincidentally the win was coach Mkhuphali Masuku’s first and only ever since he was thrust into the hot seat following the ex-communication of his boss, Taurai Mangwiro, from all football activities for his role in the Asiagate match-fixing scandal.
Shabanie Mine coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere presented the fans with the surprise of the afternoon when he left the man expected to walk away with the Golden Boot barring any last match day miracles, Nelson Maziwisa, on the bench.
The decision evidently backfired for the asbestos miners as they clearly lacked the cutting edge upfront and by the time he was introduced in the second stanza, the damage had already been done.
The match started with both sides knocking the ball, but with little penetration of goal. For the hosts it was just the same old story of lacking a trusted gunslinger that has haunted them the entire 30-match marathon, while for Shabanie it was a case of over-relying on Maziwisa.
In the 22nd minute Pakamisa headed home off a cross from the left by Pride Tafirenyika, but his effort was rightfully ruled out for offside.
Caps United launched another attack with a quick goal kick which resulted in a corner kick in the 40th minute taken by Kutsanzira and which was met by another Pakamisa powerful header into Victor Twaliki’s goal and the goal stood.
Tarisai Rukanda had the opportunity to level matters on the stroke of half time after being presented with an early Christmas present by Zabula who strangely allowed the ball to bounce twice in his penalty box, but Rukanda returned the favour as he generously allowed Chiwara to beat him to the ball and avert danger.
Staring defeat in the eye, “Vahombe’’ made a double substitution bringing in Maziwisa and Farai “Briah” Mususunye for Caleb Masocha and Zimunya.
The substitution appeared to be the tonic that the visitors badly needed as the two breathed life in attack, but life was not to be on the scoresheet.
In the 79th minute it was Makepekepe who were celebrating another goal.
Left back Douglas Walaza embarked on a brilliant individual run from his deep role right up to the goal line seeing off the challenge of William Ngonya and Gilford Mchiwa before crossing it for Kawondera to double the advantage with a clinically executed effort.
After the game Caps United assistant coach Brenna Msiska expressed his happiness at finishing positively as his side now looks forward to the next campaign.
“We are happy to finish on a high but now the focus is on next season. We have been using our last matches to see which players are we going to retain for next season and who will we be releasing,” said the former Warriors goalminder.
Masomere, although not happy with the defeat, said he was impressed with the way his charges had performed this season when very few gave them a chance.
“We did commendably well this season and as we take a breather we will be looking at our options and see which areas we can beef up on. I am also happy for Nelly (Maziwisa) who had a brilliant season and made it onto the calendar,” Masomere said.
Team Line-Ups
Caps United: I Chiwara, E Chafungamoyo, L Fiyado, A Chivheya, T Kumbuyani, R Kutsanzira (A Nhongo 89th), W Pakamisa (S Kawondera 62nd), P Tafirenyika, D Walaza, B Zabula ( T Samanja 45th), H Zvirekwi.
Shabanie: V Twaliki, P Zimunya (N Maziwisa 58th), S Choenda, G Mchiwa (C Gumbura 82nd), C Masocha (F Mususunye 58th), P Mudena, E Phiri, T Rukanda, S Muchabaiwa, W Ngonya, T Mombeshora.
