By Langton Nyakwenda
Black Mambas………………………………………….. (2) 4
Caps United……………………………………………… (0) 1
HARARE – A biting Black Mambas condemned Caps United to their worst defeat of the season and dampened Makepekepe’s remote chances of landing the title in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Morris Depot yesterday.
Caps United went into the encounter bubbling with confidence after booking a semi-final berth in the Mbada Diamonds Cup but were brought down to earth by a spirited Black Mambas who were inspired by recuperating winger Nicholas Alifandika.
Mambas’ resounding victory not only eased their relegation worries but also avenged the 4-1 defeat they suffered at Gwanzura in the reverse fixture in April.
Alifandika, who has had a nagging ankle injury this season, scored a brace while the impressive Honey Chimutimunzeve and the bustling Last Chibwiro were also on target for the policemen coached by one of their own, John “Toto” Ncube.
Diminutive linkman Benson Maglas scored the consolation for Caps United who could have made the scoreline look more respectable had Tawanda Nyamadwe and substitute striker Dominic Chungwa been more accurate in front of goal.
But the day belonged to Alifandika and Chimutimunzeve whose fine interplay and trickery were always a thorn in the flesh for the Caps United centre half pairing of Steven Makatuka and Tawanda “Rambo” Muyanduri.
The absence of striker Evans Gwekwerere, who is nursing an ankle injury, was not felt as Alifandika thrust the police side in front with a well-taken 22nd minute volley.
The slippery winger caught the United defence off guard six minutes later when he nodded past Tafadzwa Dube to spark wild celebrations in the stands.
Chibwiro aggravated the damage four minutes after half time when he waltzed his way past the flat- footed United defenders before squeezing his shot in off the upright post.
Caps United, whose midfield missed the services of dependable linkman Tendai Samanja through suspension, struggled badly as his replacement, Brian Mapfumo, looked lost.
Makepekepe’s play only improved in the second stanza when coach Taurai Mangwiro introduced Chungwa for David Rediyoni while former Dynamos defender George Magariro replaced the ineffective Mapfumo in a tactical move that saw Muyanduri moving into central midfield.
Their mini-resurgence paid off in the 54th minute when the outstanding Maglas headed stylishly past Tonderai Mateyaunga. Chungwa could have reduced the arrears on the hour mark but he directed his header straight at the ’keeper off a fine cross from right winger Hardlife Zvirekwi.
The gangly Nyamandwe’s turn to miss would come 15 minutes later when, again, he failed to do justice to an inch-perfect cross from Maglas, directing his header over the bar.
Chimutimunzeve, a handful to the United defence the whole afternoon, killed off the game as a contest in the 89th minute when he headed home, prompting most of the Caps United fans to leave the stadium prematurely.
Mangwiro admitted his team’s title chances were “effectively over” and said his focus was now on completing the season strongly.
“We should not be over-ambitious, considering where we are coming from. Had we won today I would say we would be in with a chance but now I think we are out of the race. Yes, there are still five games to play but we should not rely on other teams to do the job for us. Black Mambas were superior today and it was a day everything they touched turned into gold,” said Mangwiro.
Black Mambas assistant coach Martin Bonyongwe praised his charges for putting up a “five star performance” but emphasised that the fight against the chop was still on.
“The win will do a lot of good to our survival but the fight continues. This should be the beginning of better performances to come,” he said.
Teams:
Black Mambas: T. Mateyaunga, P. Muswere, T. Chinungo, B. Nyahunzvi, P. Marazanye, B. Chirimhanzi, I. Nyoni, L. Chibwiro (G. Mangani 65th), N. Alifandika, K. Chimbadzwa (T. Ranthokoane 65th), H. Chimutimunzeve.
Caps United: T. Dube, T. Kumbuyani, R. Pfumbidzai, B. Maglas, S. Makatuka, B. Mapfumo (G. Magariro 57th), T. Muyanduri, D. Rediyoni (D. Chungwa 49th), R Kutsanzira (L. Fiyado 66th), H. Zvirekwi, T. Nyamandwe. Sunday Mail
