CAPS United….. (1) 1 Black Rhinos…… (0)0
CAPS United captain Hardlife Zvirekwi played a blinder as his early strike sank army side Black Rhinos in an entertaining Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
It was the first goal of the season for Zvirekwi, who missed the first half of the season as he was recovering from injuries sustained in a career-threatening car crash that cost him his right hand.
Zvirekwi, clearly, enjoying playing in the right attack, caused all sorts of problems for Chauya Chipembere as he continued his fairytale return.
He only needed three minutes to get on the scoresheet and that was the goal that would settle the encounter and ensure that the Green Machine’s unbeaten start to the second half of the season remained intact.
“Hardlife is an excellent person with excellent football qualities. I don’t expect him to do anything less than he did today,” CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said after the match.
“He has been great ever since he began his rehabilitation soon after the accident. He has done so much in motivating the team and it’s amazing what he is doing.
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“I am happy with the way we got the three points. The boys applied themselves well and it was typical training stuff. We worked on these things and it’s satisfying when the players reproduce that in a real-match situation.”
CAPS United, who have drawn three times and won once since the second half of the season began, were quick off the block and were rewarded early in the game.
The inspirational Zvirekwi swept home from close range a Brian Muzondiwa pass in the third minute.
The goal immediately sent Rhinos into an ultra-defensive mode, forcing the army side to sit back while CAPS United were relentless in attack.
Zvirekwi was a constant threat going forward. He almost doubled the score on the half hour-mark, but failed to convert a free header into goal.
Then John Zhuwawu came face-to-face with Chauya Chipembere goalkeeper Ashley Reyners late in the first half, but it came up trumps.
Rhinos had a better second half, but remained largely confined in the shadows of their more superior opponents.
Zhuwawu wasted two glorious opportunities in the second half, first a Zvirekwi inch-perfect cross and then a Mitchell Katsvairo flick-on, both times with only the keeper to beat.
CAPS United comfortably preserved the three points in the end.
“It’s always difficult to chase a game. We went to sleep in the first minute and they managed to score. We tried our best to come back into the game, but unfortunately we ended up losing,” Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa said.
Teams:
CAPS United: P Chigumba, M Ncube, K Nyamupfukudza, S Makatuka, M Mwanjale, D Mukandi, C Kamhapa, J Ngodzo (M Katsvairo 72’), H Zvirekwi (c) (C Munzabwa 87’) , J Zhuwawu, B Muzondiwa ( T Chiunye 83’)
Black Rhinos: A Reyners, H Chimutimunzeve (E Chigiji 81’, F Banda, A Mbara, S Jimu, D Mudadi, W Kapinda, T Jaravani, V Mhandu (K Dhlamini 57’), W Taderera (M Mambare 40’), L Chiwunga.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures
Yesterday: Chapungu 1-1 Bulawayo Chiefs, Ngezi Platinum 3-2 Nichrut, CAPS United 1-0 Black Rhinos, ZPC Kariba 3-1 Triangle United, Bulawayo City 0-1 FC Platinum
Today: Yadah v Herentals (Rufaro), Shabanie Mine v Chicken Inn (Maglas), Highlanders v Dynamos (postponed)
