Harare CITY .. . . . . . . . . (0) 0 CAPS UNITED . .. . . . . . . . . (1) 1
ONCE again, Castle Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders CAPS United were not at their best, but an efficient performance saw the former champions inch closer to a historic title, hanging on to a Leonard Tsipa first minute strike to edge hosts Harare City at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
With Bulawayo giants Highlanders losing to relegation-threatened Tsholotsho, Makepekepe have a two-point cushion over second-placed FC Platinum, who battled to a 2-0 win over Chapungu in Gweru, with two matches to go.
The Green Machine could be crowned champions in the next round of fixtures with a win over Ngezi Platinum if their nearest rivals FC Platinum and Highlanders facing each other play out a draw.
After missing the bizarre Harare derby 3-3 draw with bitter rivals Dynamos through suspension, the league’s top scorer, veteran striker Tsipa needed just a minute to get into the scoresheet, heading home from a corner kick.
Increasing his league tally to 11 goals, Tsipa, who only lasted 30 minutes of the match before injury struck, emerged the hero for CAPS United for the umpteenth time this season.
The visitors’ coach Lloyd Chitembwe was happy with the result, but was concerned about the performance.
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“It was a very good result, and obviously performance-wise [I was] not-so impressed. We are too anxious, this could be the reason why we did not perform to the level that we know we are capable of. But all the same, I am very happy with the result,” he said.
“What’s important is for us to continue grinding results and today we got a good result and it is something we will obviously continue to work on,” Chitembwe added.
Makepekepe vice-captain Stephen Makatuka, whose central defence pairing with Dennis Dauda was impressive all afternoon, reckons the title is now in CAPS United’s hands with two matches remaining.
“It can be done because we are on top. The title is for us to lose now and if we relax, we may lose it, but I can say we are in control. The belief is high; as you saw we managed to score in the first half and Harare City were coming at us, but we managed to handle the pressure,” he said.
The victory comes after they had a blistering start to the derby, playing second fiddle to Moses Chunga’s exciting young Sunshine Boys outfit.
CAPS United won the free kick soon after the first whistle. Ronald Pfumbidzai curled it beautifully, with Tsipa rising majestically to power home the opener with his head.
A few minutes later, youthful Harare City striker Grey Kufandada could have restored parity, coming face-to-face with Edmore Sibanda, but lacking the experience, he fluffed his lines.
Tsipa thought he had added to his tally, but his cheeky flicked goal was flagged for offside midway through the first half.
With Harare City displaying a fluid passing game and CAPS United content with counter attacks, the visitors managed to cling on to the lead into half-time.
In the second half, CAPS United created more scoring chances, but failed to add to their tally.
Substitute Tafadzwa Rusike drew a brilliant low save from the hosts’ young goalkeeper Kelvin Shangiwa in the 78th minute as CAPS United looked to kill the match as a contest. Shangiwa again made a major claim for the Harare City goalkeeper’s spot with another fingertip save, to deny Dominic Chungwa’s goal-bound effort from inside the box late in the match.
Chunga had lots of praise for his young players.
“I think we did well except for the mistake in the first minute and we payed dearly. I am proud of the young boys. They showed that they can mix with the old boys,” he said.
Teams:
Harare City: K Shangiwa, A Chivheya, H Chapusha, D Mawere, T Chimwemwe, J Chipangura, T Tumba, E Madhanhanga, R Chitiyo, G Kufandada (R Manuvire 65’), S Muneka ( B Maglas 78’)
CAPS United: E Sibanda, H Zvirekwi, R Pfumbidzai, S Makatuka, D Dauda, K Nyamupfukudza (D Chafa 75’), M Muchenje, P Bamusi (T Rusike 57’), S Nhivi, D Chungwa, L Tsipa (J Ngodzo 31’)
