CAPS beat How Mine

How Mine Mine goalkeeper Nonjabulo Dube could only tip onto Chungwa’s path.

Zvirekwi who was involved in the first goal then made it two for the visitors with a well-taken free-kick from the edge of the box to send Makepekepe supporters into wild celebrations.

Three minutes later Menard Mupera scored a consolation goal for How Mine from the penalty spot.
CAPS United’s defensive midfielder Dominic Mukandi who had replaced Chungwa in the 60th minute handled in the box in an attempt to clear a seemingly harmless Simba Sithole cross and referee Mlindeli Ndebele rightfully pointed to the spot.

Diminutive CAPS United goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube dived to his right but could not get to the ball that was hit with power and precision by Mupera.
Mupera’s goal appeared to give the hosts some hope of at least forcing a draw.

But CAPS United hung on to their lead and gave head coach Taurai Mangiwro, just the kind of perfect return he had hoped for after Zifa last week lifted his ban over the Asiagate match-fixing case.

“It was a good game with How Mine playing some good football. I am also happy that Tau (Mangwiro) is back and will give him back the baton. I have always said to everyone at CAPS United that we have to be patient and see where we are after five games and with the return of Tau, I hope the guys will work extra hard and the supporters will continue backing the team,” said CAPS United assistant coach Brenna Msiska.

CAPS United were always in control of the game with How Mine players being second to the ball for the better part of the first half.
How Mine clearly missed the services of skipper Hebert Dick who is on suspension after picking a red card against Hwange as well as the injured Gilbert Banda.

Brighton Dube partnered Nelson Tachi in central defence but the two failed to organise their back four with Khumbulani Banda being exposed on a number of occasions on the left side.

CAPS United’s first goal came from Khumbulani’s flank after the former Dynamos and FC Platinum left back left Zvirekwi unattended and the latter received a long pass from Ronald Pfumidzayi.

Nonjabulo failed to deal with Zvirekwi’s seemingly harmless cross and Chungwa just tapped the ball into an empty net.
Zvirekwi and Rahman Kutsanzira were always threatening for CAPS United in the midfield but failed to turn their dominance into goals.

Eight minutes before half time, How Mine’s best chance fell to Simba Sithole but the usually reliable striker sent his effort way over the bar.
In the 40th minute Joseph Mutambirwana got to the end of a defence splitting pass from Zvirekwi, turned his marker only to direct his shot straight to the hands of Nonjabulo.

How Mine returned from the break a much improved side but could not find the opener.
Instead it was the visitors who got their second when Brighton brought down Zvirekwi on the edge of the box and the former Gunners player took the responsibility and left Nonjabulo stunned with a beautiful goal.

Nonjabulo also made a fine save six minutes from full time denying Mutambirwana a goal.
Philani Mabhena, How Mine’s gaffer conceded defeat and said they missed Dick and Gilbert in defence.

“We didn’t turn up in the first half and that made life difficult for us even when we tried to come back into the game. The guys in central defence did well but we lacked organisation.

“Naturally, I am disappointed with the loss because like we declared when the season started, we are fighting relegation and want to do well at home.
“There are 25 more games to go and now we have to work hard for our next matches,” Mabhena said.

Teams:
How Mine: Nonjabulo Dube, Brighton Choto, Khumbulani Banda, Brighton Dube, Nelson Tachi, Xolisani Moyo, Menard Mupera, Thandazani Ndlovu (Timothy January 54th minute), Warren Dube (Nqobile Mpala 66th minute), Simba Sithole, Simon Njeleza (Thabani Moyo 66th minute).
CAPS United: Tafadzwa Dube, Tapiwa Khumbuyani, Ronald Pfumidzayi, George Magariro, Arnold Chiveya, Rahman Kutsanzira, Moses Muchenje, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Dominic Chungwa (Dominic Mukandi 60th minute), Tawanda Nyamandwe, Joseph Mutambiranwa.