adminInnocent Kurira in BULAWAYO
Highlanders 2-1 CAPS United
FOR a side that didn’t train for a week, before travelling to Bulawayo for this Castle Lager Premiership match against Highlanders, CAPS United put up a resilient fight that could have easily seen them securing a draw or all three points.
The fixture had been in doubt after CAPS players threatened to boycott the fixture over a pay strike.
But the visitors put up a brave fight in the first half and took the game to the hosts in the opening stages of the match.
And, with the odds staked against them, the Green Machine remarkably took the lead in the 34th minute, through a well-taken goal by William Manondo.
Manondo intercepted a back pass by defender Darlington Mukuli and rifled home his 15th goal of the season.
Bosso were the better team in the second half and Devine Mhindirira drew them level, just four minutes after the restart, after being fed by Lynoth Chikuhwa.
Navaya grabbed the winner for Bosso in the 78th minute, tapping home a cross from Godfrey Makaruse.
CAPS United finished the game with 10 men after substitute Marshall Machazane received a straight red card, three minutes after coming on , for a cynical off the ball foul on Navaya in the 85th minute.
Victory saw Highlanders retaining sixth place on the log with 38 points, while CAPS United also remained rooted in 12th place.
Highlanders’ assistant coach, Joel Luphahla, admitted that his side had a terrible first half, but was happy with how they reacted in the second half.
“It was a difficult game. I thought the boys did well in the second half.
“It was beautiful to watch. I am sure that in the first half our movement was not good and our confidence was low. “It’s expected as a player when you are not sure if you will play or not.
“For the boys to fine tune their mentality in the second half was difficult, but we are happy to take the three points.
“We have to go back and sort out what we did wrong in the first half,” said Luphahla.
CAPS United coach, Lloyd Chitembwe, was full of praise for his players’ effort.
“We are talking of a team that never had any training session.
“For them to give me this gutsy performance is fantastic.
“I am sure the boys will get stronger in these kinds of situations.
“They came here and fought considering that we never trained. I think they deserve some special praise for such commitment,” said Chitembwe.
Teams
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Rahman Kutsanzira, Devine Mhindirira, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Ray Lunga (Washington Navaya 75th min), Nqobizitha Masuku, Godfrey Makaruse, Andrew Mbeba, Stanley Ngala, Darlington Mukuli (Bukhosi Sibanda 88th min), Mbongeni Ndlovu
CAPS United: Tonderai Mateyaunga (Tatenda Munditi 55th min), Patrick Musaka, Kenneth Bulaji, Pawell Govere (Marshall Machazane 82nd min), Valentine Musarurwa, Devon Chafa, Joel Ngodzo (Blessing Sarupinda 50th min) , Phineas Bamusi, Emmanuel Mandiranga, Clive Rupiya, William Manondo
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter