By Eddie Chikamhi
CAPS United . . . . . . .(2) 2
Tsholotsho . . . . . . . . . .0
There was singing and dancing again in the CAPS United dressing room yesterday after the Premiership giants remembered how to win and climbed back to the top of the Castle Lager log table after dismissing Tsholotsho at the National Sports Stadium.
Makepekepe started brightly yesterday when veteran forward Leonard Tsipa put them ahead from the penalty spot with just three minutes played before skipper Moses Muchenje sealed the points late in the first half.
The match also marked the return of big goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda into the Green Machine set-up and the former Warriors goalie immediately won the hearts of the fans despite coming from a long injury lay-off.
Sibanda made a number of clean saves after he was thrust ahead of the blundering Jorum Muchambo.
The Green Machine had not won in their last two games after drawing with Hwange and log leaders FC Platinum.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe, who was a subject of rather unwarranted attacks from a section of the club’s supporters in their last home game which they drew 1-1 with Hwange at Rufaro, kept a composed figure throughout the match.
There was no doubting though that the result was a big relief for the coach.
Chitembwe, however, was not keen to express his feelings to the media and chose to delegate his assistant Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi to speak.
Kwashi was excited with the win as CAPS United shot back at the apex of the log standings after FC Platinum were beaten 2-1 in their league match at Hwange.
Makepekepe now have 29 points, two ahead of FC Platinum, but their lead could be short-lived as they could lose pole position to Bulawayo giants Highlanders who face struggling Mutare City Rovers at Sakubva this afternoon.
Kwashi was happy with the team’s performance after holding off a more spirited Tsholotsho in the second half.
The former CAPS United winger also called for patience from the demanding supporters after a gratifying performance which was good enough to pacify even the harshest critics among their followers.
“Generally, we deserved to win this game and we are satisfied with the three points. But we still need to work hard, we are still humble, we haven’t achieved anything yet.
“It’s about 16 games to go, it’s a long road ahead so we need to be humble and be down to earth,” said Kwashi.
“Of course, everybody likes winning. Football is all about winning and it’s good to get back into that winning mode. But besides those two draws we had (against Hwange and FC Platinum in the last two games), the team has been playing well.
“Sometimes in football people have to be realistic and patient. You cannot win 30 games the whole year. Sometimes you draw, sometimes you lose, but we always aim for the best every time.”
CAPS United found themselves in the driving seat early on when Harare referee Ruzive Ruzive, who had a good day, pointed to the penalty spot after Tsholotsho defender Thandolwenkosi Ncube had handled the ball under pressure from Tsipa.
The veteran forward then took the onus and beat goalkeeper Nickel Marichi for his fifth goal of the season.
Tsholotsho could have replied early on when CAPS United defender Justice Jangano, who made numerous errors yesterday, lost possession at the edge of the box to send Mostafa Maponyera clear at goal.
Makepekepe had goalkeeper Sibanda to thank after making a stunning one-handed save to deny Maponyera from close range with only 10 minutes played.
But CAPS United took the game back to their opponents from then on with Tafadzwa Rusike, Muchenje and Tsipa fluffing some good scoring opportunities.
The Green Machine still needed the assurance goal and it came on the 34th minute when Muchenje fired home first time from close range after Simba Nhivi had chested down a high ball from Devon Chafa.
Tsholotsho upped their game in the second half after their coach Lizwe Sweswe made a triple substitution in the 53rd minute bringing in former CAPS United forward Collins Dhuwa, Ayanda Ncube and Nicholas Mundandishe.
The visitors’ captain William Stima was always a tricky customer for the hosts and needed the best out of Sibanda in the 70th minute when he worked his way down the left channel and unleashed a looping shot which was tipped over by the impressive keeper.
Then Dylan Chivandire broke loose seven minutes later following another defensive lapse by Makepekepe, but Sibanda again saved their day when he went down to thwart the threat.
“This was a brilliant game from Edmore Sibanda. He had a marvellous game. He played well. It has been a long time since he last played football, but he came to the party today. He made some great saves, but we are happy with the whole team,” said Kwashi.
Tsholotsho assistant coach Xolani Mafikela said they paid the price for conceding early and taking long to get into the game.
“It’s one of those games where we had a bad start. We tried to come back, but it was a matter of being late because when playing an experienced side like CAPS United, chances of you coming back when you start badly are next to none,” said Mafikela.
Tsholotsho remained second from the bottom with eight points from 14 starts.
“We are not happy with where the team is, that’s a fact, but with the players that we have it’s a matter of time. The problem that we are having as a team is we are failing to score goals.
“We are creating chances, but we are not scoring. In each and every game that we play, I think we are trying too much,” said Mafikela.
Teams
CAPS United: E. Sibanda, H. Zvirekwi, J. Jangano, S. Makatuka, D. Chafa, M. Muchenje, P. Bamusi, T. Rusike (D. Chungwa, 70th minute), S. Nhivi, L. Tsipa (C. Munzabwa, 80th minute)
Tsholotsho: N. Marichi, M. Phiri, N. Moyo, T. Ncube, S. Dube, R. Mufudza (A. Ncube, 53rd minute), O. Ncube (N. Mundandishe, 53rd minute), B. Madanhire (C. Dhuwa, 53rd minute), M. Ponyera, D. Chivandire. The Herald
