Lifeless CAPS United held by Hwange

By Eddie Chikamhi

CAPS United . . . . . . . . 0
Hwange . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

CAPS United coach Mark Harrison described his team’s performance yesterday as poor and said there was no excuse for the pathetic show as the Green Machine were held by Hwange in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Gwanzura yesterday.

Makepekepe were coming from a big win over Highlanders in their previous outing and there were high expectations that a victory would help them close in on the leading pack.

The draw saw them drop three rungs into eighth position on the table.

Chances were far and few between but twice Makepekepe were denied by the woodwork as Rodreck Mutuma and Gerald Phiri came close.

Harrison criticised his players for lacking the fighting spirit they had demonstrated in their previous outing at Highlanders.

CAPS United missed the services of skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi through suspension and Ronald Pfumbidzai who is on trials in Denmark.

“We wasted so many chances. It’s killing us at the moment. We got to start taking chances. I like the energy that we had down in Bulawayo, I think. Maybe that game took a little bit out of us,” said Harrison.

“I am not trying to make excuses. We lacked the energy. I feel we lacked a little bit of endeavour and a little bit of creativity at times, as well.

“Taking nothing away from the opposition, they are a hardworking team, they are a grafting team. We had our chances to win the game but we wasted them. I am disappointed about it.

“I don’t know why, maybe we lost a little bit of legs down in Bulawayo. You know, the game down there maybe drained us a little bit.

“Plus, for a fact, I keep saying it, everybody is still waiting for salaries and up to yesterday nothing came. That is now the situation, so it doesn’t make any life easier. But I don’t want to make excuses, we lacked energy today.”

Interestingly, one of the team’s board members, Khumbulani Mhlope, who arrived late for the match, told a security guard, who was stopping him from entering Gwanzura, that he had pumped in $10 000, in the morning yesterday, towards the players’ salaries.

Makepekepe had the first real chance at goal after 28 minutes when Mutuma unleashed a low shot which scrapped the outside of the post after being set by Phiri.

Hard-running midfielder Takudzwa Mahori then tried from a similar angle when he made a diagonal run into position, some four minutes later but the ball just went wide of the target.

Makepekepe thought they would get the opener just before the half-time break but Phiri’s free-kick kissed the upright.

Captain of the day Moses Muchenje, who had a difficult afternoon, pounced on the rebound with the goalkeeper off-guard but he shot wildly as the Hwange defence was still trying to re-organise.

Hwange’s only notable chance in the opening period came off a deadball when they won a free-kick just outside the box in the 34th minute.

However, their dead ball specialist Munyaradzi Mungadze was disappointed to see his effort being headed out to safety by Stephen Makatuka in a crowded box.

Soon after the breather, Mutuma could not direct his header after getting a return pass from Valentine Musarurwa.

CAPS United goalkeeper Criss Mverechena was called into action in the 61st minute when he stretched to the right to punch out Evans Rusike’s powerful shot from just inside the box.

Mutuma could have done better with 20 minutes remaining when he turned his marker inside the box but could not generate enough power with his left foot from close range.

However, a dodgy harmless looking shot from the forward almost deceived veteran goalkeeper Sibanda when the ball took an awkward bounce in the 83rd minute.

Hwange survived from the resultant corner kick as substitute Carlton Munzabwa headed wide in a congested goal area.

But the coal miners felt cheated when their best player on view, Rusike, was adjudged to have fouled Stephen Makatuka when he had looked to have won the ball cleanly before charging towards goal.

Hwange coach Nation Dube said he was not happy with the officiating.

Winless in eight games, Dube was still not satisfied with an away point.

“We could have walked away with maximum points if the referees were so consistent. But there was nothing we could do. They (CAPS United) were at home and the referees were there for them. I think they denied us the result. Otherwise I feel my boys played well,” said Dube.

Teams

CAPS United: C. Mverechena, V. Musarurwa, R. Matova (C. Munzabwa, 65th min), S. Makatuka, D. Mukandi, G. Nyirenda, M. Muchenje, G. Phiri, T. Mahori (K. Nyamufukudza, 71st min), L. Fiyado (C. Machisi, 54th min), R. Mutuma

Hwange: T. Sibanda, P. Dube, M. Mungadze, G. Ndlovu, D. Boriwondo, A. Chuna, I. Muchaneka, N. Siwela (G. Zulu, 52nd min), P. Mpelele (N. Sianchali, 90th min), A. Marime (F. Vimisayi, 83rd min), E. Rusike. The Herald