By ALWYN MABEHLA
HARARE – Dominic Chungwa scored the all-important goal for CAPS United as they beat visiting Bantu Rovers 1-0 here yesterday.
United coach Taurai Mangwiro paid tribute to his players, but bemoaned his side lack of killer instinct in front of goal.
“The boys played well and I think we after scoring early on we could have gone to score maybe three or four goals but all the same credit to them. In the first few minutes of the game we were on top and I felt that’s where we could have killed of the game but we allowed them to come back,’ Mangwiro said.
His Rovers counterpart, Methembe Ndlovu, accepted defeat and for once gave tribute to match officials who have off late been under-fire for questionable decisions.
“All season we have been complaining about biased officiating but today the referees were spot on. We conceded an early goal and we failed to recover and credit to the opponent. We now look forward to our next game after the international break and hope to bounce back,” Ndlovu said.
Harare-based referee Norman Matemera handled yesterday’s game.
United broke the deadlock through Dominic Chungwa in the 11th minute after he got to the end of Hardlife Zvirekwi’s cross to beat Rovers goalkeeper Brighton Chipula at his near post.
Chipula should have done better and Rovers coach Methembe Ndlovu would take off his first choice goalminder for Takunda Mutanga in the 37th minute.
After conceding early, the visiting Bulawayo side showed reliance and continued to initiate raids in the United half but were let down by poor finishing.
Former Highlanders forward Obadiah Tarumbwa sent in an inviting cross for the exciting Tafadzwa Kutinyu in the 23rd minute but the lanky midfielder failed to pull the trigger, allowing United to clear their lines.
In the 37th minute, winger Emberton Tshuma almost scored directly from a throw-in when United goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo fumbled the ball into the path of on-rushing Kutinyu who again failed to capitalise from close range.
United should have increased the tally in the 32nd minute when Warriors fullback Zvirekwi set up Leonard Fiyado but the former Gunners forward missed with an open goal at his mercy.
Mangwiro’s halftime talk seemed to rejuvenate the home side, and second half substitute Ishmael Thindwa had a chance to score his first goal for the Green Machine after being sent through by Moses Muchenje, but reacted too slow, allowing Rovers keepers Mutanga to clear.
The crossbar would again deny Thindwa his first league goal in the 77minute after he rose well to connect to a Zvirekwi throw from the near side.
In the end United held on to the slender lead to bag all the three points at stake much to the delight of the home fans.
Meanwhile, in Hwange, the colminers neat Shabanie Mine 2-0 through goals from Gilbert Zulu and Evans Rusike.
CAPS: Jorum Muchambo, Dominic Mukandi, David Chipala, Stephen Makatuka, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Moses Muchenje, Gerald Phiri (Asani Nhongo, 49m), Hardlife Zvirekwi, Leonard Fiyado (Ishameal Thindwa, 55m), Dominic Chungwa (Modaliso Mwanza, 90m).
Bantu: Brighton Chipula (Takunda Mutanga, 37m), Zephaniah Ngodzo, Tshuma Emberton, Master Mlangani, Tafadzwa Ngwena, Obadiah Tarumbwa,Tafadzwa Kutinyu, Fortune Ncube, Joseph Museve, Nqobizitha Masuku, Sizalobuhle Dube (Patrick Mpofu, 75m). Daily News
