Chapungu (0) Caps United (0)
CAPS United’s winning run after a dismal start to the second half of the season was brought to an end after they were held to a goalless draw by an impressive Chapungu side at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
BY MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
The champions came to Gweru with a lot of swagger following their irresistible form in the past few weeks of premiership football, which had seen them managing four wins and a draw in their last five matches.
The venue of their clash against Chapungu had a perfect subplot. Their last visit to the City of Progress saw them being crowned champions last year.
Their fans responded well to their form and accompanied their team to the Midlands Province capital, painting the city green and white before the fixture.
But all their form and swagger was brought to a halt by a determined army side, which was no match for the champions in the battle field.
CAPS United failed to hit even a single shot at goal and the host goal keeper was on holiday the whole encounter as he was hardly troubled by the visitors.
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The hosts dominated from the onset and in the opening two minutes Allen Tavarwisa had a brilliant chance, which was expertly pushed away for a corner by Edmore Sibanda.
From the resultant corner kick, Maxwell Mavhuto’s header crashed against the woodwork, a perfect start for the army side to send shivers down the spine of Makepekepe.
After the breather, Chapungu continued to press, with Lloyd Gwerina getting space from the left wing and squaring a cross to Tinei Chitora, who disappointingly missed the target with the visiting defence at sea.
Twelve minutes before fulltime, Moses Muchenje got the best chance for the hosts but his effort went over the cross bar.
CAPS United were without the services of departed Ronald Pfumbidzai, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Steven Makatuka.
Assistant coach, Fungai Kwashi felt a draw was a good result for his side considering the number of absentees in their team.
“We take a point from this game and move on, we cannot mourn but that point will go a long way, that is football, you win some, draw some and lose some,” he said.
“We had a number of first team players that were not in the game and with that in mind, a draw is not a bad result.”
The result, however, means the army side remains winless in their last seven matches with two draws and five defeats.
But their coach Tendai Chikuni was motivated by his side’s performance, though he was not impressed by the chances they wasted.
“In the first half we were all over CAPS United; we got three clear cut chances and we did not convert them, that is a bit worrying for me. We need to continue working hard and pick up more points in our future games,” he said.
“Today’s performance was encouraging, playing against the champions is not easy.”
Teams:
Chapungu: R Mazingi, C Mativenga, R Sibanda, B Mbavarira, C Kwaramba, M Muchingami, I Nyoni, M Mavuto (M Mugadzaweta (B Mugoni 79’), A Tavarwisa, T Chitora, P Marufu (L Gwerina 62’)
CAPS United: E Sibanda, V Musarurwa, G Goriyati, C Munzambwa, C Kamhapa, D Chafa, M Muchenje, J Ngodzo (P Bamusi 60’), T Rusike, A Chidiebere (J Zhuwawu 60’), D Chungwa.
