CAPS UTD . . . (1) 4 CHAPUNGU . . . (0)0
Red-hot striker Abbas Amidu scored a brace as champions CAPS United turned on the style to thump airmen Chapungu in a one-sided Castle Lager Premiers Soccer League encounter at the National Sports Stadium.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Ronald Chitiyo’s spectacular bicycle kick and a late strike by substitute Dominic Chungwa completed the rout as Lloyd Chitembwe’s men bounced from a heartbreaking midweek draw in Ngezi.
For once this season, CAPS United played like champions and this performance comes ahead of the Harare derby against bitter rivals Dynamos set for next Sunday.
“We thank God for the victory. We stay humble, we remain humble, we keep working hard and we look forward to the next fixtures,” assistant coach Fungai Kwashi said after the match.
Kwashi emphasised the importance of the big win ahead of the Harare derby.
“It gives confidence to the whole team getting four goals at home and giving a good exciting performance, at the same time we do not want to go ahead of ourselves. We respect Dynamos, they are a big institution and we are also a big institution, so it’s going to be a great contest next week,” he said.
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However, the day belonged to Amidu who was a goal scorer in midweek fixtures and is turning out to be a revelation upfront for the defending champions.
CAPS United looked out of sorts in the first quarter of the match until a moment of brilliance by Chitiyo saw him ride a couple of tackles, sending Amidu through on goal in the 26th minute.
Amidu calmly slotted the ball home underneath an advancing Roy Mazingi manning the sticks for Chapungu.
Nine minutes after the breather, Amidu came back to haunt the visitors, this time showing a touch of class.
Impressive defender Carlton Mudzambwa posted a wonderful pin point long range pass from inside, which Amidu delicately placed beyond Mazingi, one touch on the run, doubling the scores.
A few minutes later, Chitiyo, denied by the post in the first half, was not to be outdone by Amidu.
Phineas Bamusi robbed the lethargic Chapungu defence and sent in an inviting cross and Chitiyo’s spectacular bicycle kick was fumbled into the net by the undersiege Mazingi.
Chapungu failed to really test Edmore Sibanda in goals for CAPS United and it was left to substitute Dominic Chungwa to put the icing on the cake.
With a minute left on the clock, former captain Moses Muchenje intercepted the ball in the middle of the park and fed Chungwa, who shrugged off Collen Kwaramba’s challenge to pick the bottom corner for the fourth goal.
Chapungu coach Tendai Chikuni blamed the defeat on poor preparation caused by the uncertainty surrounding the match.
“We lost this game yesterday. The game was only confirmed yesterday around 4pm. We left Gweru at 6 and got here around 11, having played a mid-week match so we could not match CAPS United,” he said.
Teams:
CAPS UTD: E Sibanda, H Zvirekwi, R Pfumbidzai, C Mudzambwa, D Dauda, D Chafa, M Muchenje, J Ngodzo (C Kamhapa 71′), P Bamusi, R Chitiyo (A Kambanje83’), A Amidu (D. Chungwa 87′)
CHAPUNGU: R Mazingi, E Chitauro, R Bota, B Mbavarira, C Kwaramba, N Murisa, I Nyoni (L Gwerina 33′) L Genti , A Tavarwisa, P Marufu (M Mavuto65′), X Ncube
