BY Albert Marufu CAPS United . . . . . . . .0 Motor Action . . . . (2) 2
NEW CAPS United head coach Mkhuphali Masuku got off to a false start in his first game in charge after his clueless side fell 2-0 to Motor Action in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro yesterday.
Masuku, previously an assistant coach at the club, was elevated to the hot seat on Friday following the 10-year ban imposed by Zifa on his former boss Taurai Mangwiro over his alleged involvement in the Asiagate scandal.
So confused and lacking confidence were CAPS United players that it came as no surprise when they conceded a goal in the second minute, when James Jam’s shot from the edge of the box left goalkeeper Itai Chiwara clutching the air.
Former CAPS United player Yves Ebabali’s first attempt richocheted off the post, but fell into the path of Gift Phiri who passed the ball to the unmarked Jam to finish off.
United fell further behind on the 27th minute when Motor Action defender Blessing Chimwamuchere made an overlapping run leaving Blessing Zabula sprawling to the ground. And with everyone expecting a cross, he fired past a bemused Chiwara.
Masuku said the defeat was inevitable following his side’s mid-week nil-all draw against Harare City at the same venue.
“We saw it (defeat) coming as we have not been playing well of late. We saw it in the mid-week game against Harare City. There are departments we need to work on. Maybe the sudden departure of head coach unsettled the players, but that is no excuse,” said Masuku. He, however, refused to admit that CAPS United may be a bigger club for his stature.
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“I have been in bigger situations than this one,” he said referring to his previous stint with rivals Highlanders.
His opposite number Joey “Mafero Mafero” Antipas said the win was sweet in the sense that they managed to beat CAPS United who were awarded three points after his side failed to turn up in the first leg following a misunderstanding over the venue.
“It is another good day in office. We took our chances and won the match,” he said in between cigarette puffs.
With the CAPS United midfield virtually anonymous, it was Motor Action who were the better team, but the introduction of Tendai Samanja for the injured Tawanda Munyanduri in the 29th minute stabilised the side.
