By Eddie Chikamhi
CAPS United …………………. (0) 1
Highlanders ……………………… 0
Diminutive midfielder Tafadzwa Rusike yesterday turned back the hands of time with a brilliant individual performance that reminded many of his peak as he helped Harare giants CAPS United settle an old score with traditional rivals Highlanders in the Battle of the Cities Part II at the National Sports Stadium.
Rusike, who burst onto the local scene with the Green Machine eight years ago as a sprightly teenager from Alaska, produced probably one of his finest shows since his return to the Green Machine this year.
The midfielder was involved in most of the moves yesterday and in the second half he lifted his game a gear up as Highlanders defenders struggled to deal with his pace and skill.
Makepekepe, who lost 1-0 in the first meeting of these back to back encounters at Barbourfields just before the mid-season break, reversed the scores courtesy of Dominic Chungwa’s 56th minute strike.
Rusike provided the assist and then won a penalty three minutes later which could have doubled the Green Machine’s advantage but midfielder Devon Chafa spoiled a good day in the office when he failed to beat goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda from the spot.
However, Makepekepe still managed to get maximum points and swapped positions with Highlanders. Lloyd Chitembwe’s men are now in second place on the log standings, four points behind leaders FC Platinum who beat Bulawayo City 1-0 at Luveve on Saturday.
Although Rusike had to limp out injured in the 78th minute, he had done enough to arouse the Makepekepe fans who cheered most of his moves in the second half. CAPS United assistant coach Mark Mathe was also impressed by the midfielder.
“Rusike is an experienced player and we expect him to perform at that level. He played well and we are happy with his performances,” said Mathe.
CAPS United now have 32 points in the bag while Highlanders remained on 31 after 16 games. Bosso had better chances earlier in the game with Ralph Matema, Erick Mudingwa and Rahman Kutsanzira coming close in the first 15 minutes but the visitors somehow retreated into their shell for the most part of the game.
Makepekepe seized the momentum and could have at least got a goal before the breather with a bit of precision. Chungwa was the biggest culprit as twice he failed to do justice to the forays initiated by Ronald Pfumbidzai on the left wing.
CAPS United continued to pile the pressure in the second half with Rusike difficult to handle once in the opponents’ half.
His persistence was eventually rewarded in the 56th minute when his long range shot bounced off the goalkeeper’s chest to present Chungwa with an easy task to bury the rebound from close range.
Rusike returned to haunt the visitors defence soon afterwards with three men surrounding him but as he burst into the box the ball hit skipper Felix Chindungwe’s hand and referee Brighton Chimene pointed to the spot.
Chafa stepped up to take the responsibility hoping to get his first goal for Makepekepe. However, goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda made an impressive dive to his right hand to keep the scoreboard unchanged. Then came the lamentable moment when the rival supporters started a war of missiles in the terraces.
No injuries were reported but both clubs are likely to face the music for their supporters’ behaviour.
Although CAPS United managed to maintain their lead until the final whistle, the technical team was still not entirely happy with the overall performance.
“We didn’t play the way that we would have liked but we got the all-important goal and got the three crucial points. So going forward we really need to improve in playing, I mean, holistically as a unit but at the end of the day we are happy with the three points.
“It was a stark contract of how we played at Barbourfields. At Barbourfields we dominated the game outright but here in Harare we didn’t control the game. But at the end of the day we got that chance and put it away.
“It’s a crucial result; it keeps us there with the leading pack — FC Platinum, Highlanders — so to speak. We are happy and now we are focusing on the next game against Tsholotsho in Bulawayo, which is another tough game,” said Mathe.
Highlanders missed striker Prince Dube who was injured just before kickoff.
Their coach Erol Akbay said his charges failed to come to the party yesterday.
Fatigue could also be catching up with the Bulawayo giants who have played three competitive games inside seven days when other teams were enjoying the midseason Premiership break.
“Of course if you play three games in a week it makes play difficult but that’s not an excuse. We had told the players to play football but it didn’t come out as we had wanted today. I can say CAPS United were better today,” said Akbay.
“We didn’t play so good today. Every time we were always one second too late and when you are late it means the opponent gets more and more strong. We had the chance to finish the game in the first half but we couldn’t do that.”
Teams
CAPS United: E. Sibanda, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, J. Jangano, D. Dauda, D. Chafa (K. Nyamupfukudza, 78th minute), M. Muchenje, P. Bamusi, T. Rusike (K. Nyamupfukudza, 78th minute), S. Nhivi, D. Chungwa (A. Kambanje, 90th minute).
Highlanders: A. Sibanda, T. Ngulube, E. Mudzingwa, P. Muduhwa, T. Ndlovu, F. Chindungwe (D. Sibanda, 62nd minute), B. Banda, R. Kutsanzira, G. Nyoni, N. Ndlovu (K. Chimbadzwa, 53rd minute), R. Matema. The Herald
