FC Platinum… (1) 1 CAPS United 0
FROM MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE IN ZVISHAVANE
CAPS United defender George Nyirenda beat his side’s two goalkeepers in as many weekends after fooling Tafadzwa Dube yesterday at Mandava against similar opposition, to hand FC Platinum passage into the Chibuku Super Cup semifinals.
As CAPS tried to erase grim memories of the previous weekend’s ZNA Charity Shield 6-0 disgrace by the same side in which Nyirenda scored past his own goalie Jorum Muchambo, the centre back once again pounced against his side and this time it was the decider.
United showed intent to revenge but the early goal was a big blow, with coach Taurai Mangwiro attributing the defeat to the Malawi international’s error.
“We were just careless in the manner we conceded that goal. Today we started off well and we looked more likely to win, but we failed to avoid the goal. We only had two scares, the goal and that chance that hit the bar,” said Mangwiro.
With the victory, winning coach Norman Mapeza sealed his arrival at Mandava where he is slowly establishing a fortress.
The former Galatasaray midfield hardman commended his charges for getting the better of CAPS once again but admitted that his opponents had done their homework to make up for that half a dozen goal harvest.
- CAPS United dismiss player strike reports
- CAPS United rob Wha Wha
- CAPS Utd salvage point in four-goal thriller
- Inside sport: What has gone wrong at Dynamos?
Keep Reading
“I am happy we won the game but today they did their homework and history does not usually repeat itself in football. It is still too early to talk about winning the Cup and even going to the final. We will talk about that when we get there,” he said.
It took 13 minutes for the hosts’ Zambian forward Obrey Chirwa to present his credentials as the biggest threat in the platinum miners’ final third.
Under-pressure Nyirenda turned Chirwa’s cross into his own net following an intelligent solo run from the centre line by the striker.
With the Zambian responsible for Nyirenda’s howler, he threatened to again torment CAPS like he did in the 6-0 win in which he grabbed a hat-trick.
Eight minutes later, pure platinum play threatened to run over their opponents but Tarisai Rukanda was denied by the cross bar. Chirwa then fired at goal but his shot was scrambled away by a desperate Dube following a brilliant turn and shoot.
Five minutes before the breather, CAPS nearly reduced arrears but Gerald Phiri’s effort was cleared on the goal line by Raphael Muduviwa with Dynamos goalkeeper target Petros Mhari in goal a beaten man.
Ten minutes after the restart, Pervington Zimunya fluffed another chance for an equaliser when he blew his effort over the bar.
Mapeza’s charges survived a few minutes of CAPS’ dominance with Phiri and Leonard Fiyado coming close.
Dube proved that he deserves top billing when he ably repelled a Elvis Moyo free kick late into the game.
Chirwa’s injury-inspired substitution reduced FC Platinum’s attacking verve.
Mapeza seemed to be intent on sitting back and protecting the lead when he brought in Thabani Kamusoko and Aaron Katebe to protect the defense.
Kamusoko’s introduction proved masterstroke as he combined well with Simon Shoko to boss the midfield where they starved CAPS of clean supplies to their front runners.
