BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
Black Rhinos (0) 0 CAPS United (1) 2
A brilliant Joel Ngodzo pass from deep into midfield to assist Gabriel Nyoni break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, set CAPS United on course for a calculated victory over Black Rhinos on a dangerously muddy and slippery Rufaro Stadium pitch yesterday.
Exciting youngster Blessing Sarupinda ended the match as a contest a minute from time as the Green Machine moved up the table to keep up with the leading pack. With seven points in three matches, CAPS United are now fifth — three points behind log leaders and defending champions FC Platinum.
But it was the state of the pitch that took the gloss off a potentially thrilling football exhibition following incessant rain in the past couple of days in the capital.
CAPS United adapted well to the adverse conditions needing just masterstrokes at crucial moments to claim the three points.
“I thought this was one game in which we really produced the things that we normally work on at practice and it makes me happy,” Chitembwe told reporters after the match.
“In the first half we couldn’t find range very well, the supporting angles were not so good, even the distances were either too narrow or too wide apart, but later on in the second half I thought everything was perfect and I am happy.
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“If it [the stadium] was in a better state we could have done better than we did today, but all the same I am happy with the performance of the boys,” he added.
Black Rhinos were easily the better team in the first half and missed a glut of chances.
First it was Wellington Taderera in the opening minutes and Jameson Mukombwe finding the side net moments later.
Striker Francesco Zekumbawire joined the list of culprits halfway through the half, creating space and shooting weakly at Prosper Chigumba.
The can came the moment of genius from Ngodzo.
Ngodzo saw Nyoni’s darting run behind the Rhinos defence and sent a perfectly weighted pass over to top from just outside the centre and the winger controlled once and picked out the bottom corner.
First shot on target and CAPS United took the lead with virtually the last kick of the first half.
With a goal cushion, Chitembwe’s men played for possession in the second half and patiently waited for another mistake from Rhinos.
The mistake did come in the 89th minute. Rhinos poured men forward to make the most of a late corner kick, but CAPS United defended and embarked on a swift counter attack, substitute Newman Sianchali running the length of the field to find Sarupinda, who finished with a flourish.
Substitute Marvelous Mukumba had a goal flagged for offside in stoppage time.
“It was a tough game especially losing to CAPS United and in the first half we did very well to create a lot of chances. The state of the pitch affected us a lot especially our passing game, we ended up playing long balls,” Rhinos coach Herbert Maruwa said.
Teams
Black Rhinos: Reyners A, Jaravani T, Banda, Homora B, Tandi A, Saunyama G, Taderera W (Mukumba M 64′), Mambare M (Chibanda T 55’), Demera M, Zekumbawire F, Mukombwe J ( Chimutimunzeve H 80’)
CAPS United: Chigumba P, Musarurwa V, Ndaba V, Masunda S, Mwanjale M, Sarupinda B, Bamusi P, Ngodzo J, Nyoni G (Nyamupfukudza K 80’), Zhuwawu J, Chungwa D (Sianchali N 86’)
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures
Friday: Yadah FC 0-0 TelOne, Bulawayo Chiefs 0-1 ZPC Kariba, Ngezi Platinum 1-0 Chicken Inn
Yesterday: Black Rhinos 0-2 CAPS United, FC Platinum 2-0 Hwange
Today: Chapungu v Harare City (Mandava)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Herentals (Rufaro), Manica Diamonds v Mushowani (Gibbo), Highlanders v Triangle (Barbourfields).
