By Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Bulawayo
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Highlanders shot back to the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table after a lucky win over a tactically superior CAPS United at Barbourfields yesterday.
Star player, Bruce Kangwa who is set to leave for a trial stint in Tanzania this week, struck in the 63rd minute after a brilliant pass by young Prince Dube who had a good day in office despite not scoring.
Dube limped off later in the match after a crude tackle by a CAPS United defender.
Makepekepe finished the match one man down after veteran striker Leonard Tsipa earned himself an unnecessary red card for head-butting defender Peter Muduhwa in an off the ball incident in the 54th minute.
The red card brandished by referee Thabani Bamala proved to be the turning point of the game even though Tsipa was always under lock and key from the brilliant Muduhwa.
“I never really saw what happened but the expulsion was the turning point to the game,” said CAPS United assistant coach Fungai “Tostao’’ Kwashi after the match.
Highlanders were the first to take a shot at goal through a Prince Dube shot in the 10th minute. CAPS United were, however, not shaken by the missed opportunity as they continued with their possessional football with midfielder Devon Chafa clearly outstanding as he was winning the balls and executing excellent passes.
His efforts however, were not complemented by Joel Ngodzo, a situation which forced coach Lloyd Chitembwe to pull him out after just 38 minutes for Phineas Bamusi.
Despite enjoying territorial advantage CAPS United failed to trouble goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda as they did not have a shot on target for the entire 45 minutes.
The second half continued with the visitors still exchanging more passes together and were threatening to score until that moment of madness by Tsipa.
Once Tsipa whose experience and big game temperament, CAPS United would have made use of at such a big stage was out, Highlanders began enjoying their game and at one time exchanged more than 23 passes without CAPS United touching the ball.
Gabriel Nyoni, making a rare start for Highlanders shook his head in disbelief in the 61st minute when his full bloodied shot was saved by big Edmore Sibanda, in goal for CAPS United.
Then the Bosso goal came in the 63rd minute after a nice build up by Highlanders that saw Dube getting into the box and unselfishly laying the ball on for an on-rushing Kangwa who had the easiest of tasks as he tapped the ball past Edmore Sibanda.
To their credit CAPS United, who slipped from top spot into third place, still kept their shape despite being a man down and bombarded Bosso with a barrage of attacks which were however dealt with by Sibanda.
“Its football, you win some and lose some. As coaches we are not disappointed by the results as our guys played well, we were all over Highlanders but goals eluded us,” said Kwashi.
His counterpart Erol Akbay said he was happy with the win.
“We laid back and allowed them to come to us and then we caught them on counter attack, I am happy with the win,” said Akbay.
Teams:
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Bukhosi Ncube, Adrian Silla, King Nadolo, Bruce Kangwa, Prince Dube (Nhlanhla Ndlovu 82nd min) Tendai Ngulubes, Peter Muduhwa, Tendai Ndlovu, Erick Mudzingwa, Gabriel Nyoni (Brian Banda 71st min).
CAPS United: Edmore Sibanda, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Justice Jangano, Stephen Makatuka, Devon Chafa, Moses Muchenje ( Kudzai Nyamupfukudza 74th min) Joel Ngodzo (Phineas Bamusi 38th min) Tafadzwa Rusike (Dominic Chungwa 69th min) Simba Nhivi, Leonard Tsipa. The Chronicle
