Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IAN BAKALA yesterday returned to Rufaro Stadium as a coach, more than two decades after shining on the same turf as an attacking midfielder for CAPS United.
And he really felt the love from both the current CAPS United players and the team’s fans, some of whom witnessed his heroics for Makepekepe in 2004.
The Zambian has some good memories with the Harare giants and he appeared very keen to bring them back as he spent the entire afternoon standing on the touchline in a match that ended with a share of the spoils.
Bakala was brought in to revive a faltering campaign for the Green Machine, who are reeling in the relegation zone, 11 games into the 2025 season.
His predecessor and former teammate at CAPS United Lloyd Chitembwe is now the club’s technical director and followed proceedings from the terraces.
In a match where the seasoned Phineas Bamusi scored for CAPS United and substitute Eric Dombo pegged them back, most of the attention was on Bakala, the latest Zambian coach after the late Fordson Kabole to take charge of Makepekepe.
He cast a calm figure, thrice calling his players by the touchline to give some instructions, but strikingly, he never got any time to take his seat for the duration of the gripping tie.
Yet Bakala conducted only two sessions before yesterday’s match and he was impressed to see his players throwing loads of energy forward and playing some beautiful, fluid football.
He said of all the knowledge he imparted on the players on Thursday and Friday, the players implemented over half of that, leaving him hopeful for the future.
When the game ended, CAPS United fans housed in their favourite City end of Rufaro embraced the new coach.
“I am grateful for the love they showed me,” said Bakala.
“CAPS United is like home to me. I am happy to be back home and to have the fans embracing me the way they did.”
Herentals coach Paul Benza said the underdog tag his team always carry into matches against the traditional big teams inspires them.
“I am happy with how my boys responded when we were trailing 0-1. It was a game of two halves, in which CAPS United controlled the first and we dominated the second. I am happy with that point,” said Benza.
On a Saturday characterised by draws across all the seven Matchday 11 fixtures, the spotlight was always going to fall on Bakala, who was thrust into the head coach’s position in a dramatic turn of events at CAPS United.
The former Zambian international midfielder had initially been unveiled as an assistant, as the CAPS United management had set their sights on luring Takesure Chiragwi from Ngezi Platinum Stars.
MWOS stage late comeback again
As was the case when they hosted Manica Diamonds at Ngoni Stadium a fortnight ago, impressive debutants MWOS needed a late goal to preserve their unbeaten start to life in the Premiership.
Coach Lloyd Mutasa was presented with his Castle Lager April Coach of the Month award before the match.
But visiting TelOne were in no mood to celebrate with Mutasa as they almost spoiled the party for the veteran coach, twice taking the lead.
Mutasa claimed that the two goals his team scored yesterday were revealed in a dream, and his crew knew they would not lose against TelOne.
The Punters kept their unbeaten run intact in dramatic style at Ngoni Stadium yesterday, rising from the dead to force a 2-2 draw against nine-man TelOne.
The league’s top scorer Washington Navaya also missed a penalty late in the second half.
Allan Chapinduka and Kudakwashe Nyakudanga were sent off in the second half for misconduct, prompting a 10-minute stoppage, as TelOne players and coaches protested.
“You know what . . . God talks to different people in different ways.
“Dreams came to some of our crew and two goals was what was given to us, and two goals we scored,” revealed Mutasa.
The prayerful Mutasa knelt down as Navaya was about to take his penalty.
“I think from the onset, from the build-up, it was clear, you know, we believed in ourselves.
“And we said, we are not going to lose this match,” said Mutasa.
MWOS are still unbeaten after 11 rounds.
They are now chasing ZPC Kariba’s 19-game unbeaten record for debutants registered in 2014.
“Every coach would want to break records, so if we can do it, we will do it. But we are not under any pressure.
“Our target still remains to survive relegation, but if we are to win something, then it’s a bonus,” Mutasa added.
TelOne led 2-0 until the 62nd minute and had a penalty saved a few moments later before MWOS staged a memorable comeback.
Eriya Mafirenyika headed TelOne in front after only 10 minutes, before Milton Chimedza made it 2-0 three minutes after restart, his effort going in off the post.
Two minutes later, TelOne were awarded a penalty, which was fluffed by Navaya.
TelOne’s penalty was hotly contested by MWOS.
Soon after, Chapinduka and Nyakudanga were sent off and MWOS seized the opportunity and were duly rewarded after 62 minutes when Innocent Zambezi headed past Tapiwa Chilenga.
Billy Veremu completed the comeback three minutes from time, again scoring from a header.
Match officials then hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons as they added only six minutes when the stoppage was at least 10 minutes.
Referee Trinity Dirwai then blew the final whistle before the six minutes had lapsed.
It was a pulsating match that was watched by Warriors coach Michael Nees.
TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa refused to talk much about his team’s two red cards.
He also absolved Navaya from blame.
“I can’t talk about what I cannot control.
“As for Navaya, mistakes are common in football,” said Maruwa.
MWOS still lead the table with 23 points, while TelOne moved to 17 points after yesterday’s draw.
10-man ZPC Kariba hold
Ngezi Platinum Stars
In-form ZPC Kariba denied Ngezi Platinum Stars maximum points with a well-struck free-kick by Wayne Makuwara at the death, levelling matters for the visitors.
The match had witnessed a dramatic spell in the opening half, characterised by a three-goal galore inside the opening 11 minutes before the hosts were reduced to 10 in the 20th minute.
Ngezi took a sixth-minute lead when Talent Chamboko headed home a Qadr Amini corner.
ZPC Kariba were not shaken and two minutes they scored via Fanuel Shoko.
But 2023 champions Ngezi regained the lead in the 11th minute through striker Takunda Benhura, who headed in another Amini cross.
Referee Grace Gimo sent off winger Malvin Gaki for a rough challenge on Simbarashe Chimanikire, forcing ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitehwe to make an injury-inspired substitution.
He replaced Chimanikire with Tawanda Musariri, but the visitors could not capitalise on their numerical advantage.
Makuwara then ensured that ZPC Kariba did not return home empty-handed when he struck a minute into the referee’s optional time, much to the disappointment of Ngezi coach Chiragwi.
“We really wanted to win and we played very well from the onset.
“We were offensive, but we had an early red card on one of the players that was offensive but at the end of the day, you are happy with the point,” said Chiragwi.
ZPC gaffer Newman Chitehwe was satisfied with the point on the road.
“It is a point gained for us,” said Chitehwe.
Results:
MWOS 2-2 TelOne
CAPS United 1-1 Herentals
Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-2 ZPC Kariba
GreenFuel 0-0 Manica Diamonds
Bikita Minerals 1-1 Yadah Stars
Online Reporter