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Flame Lily ………………………………………… 0
Caps United ………………………………… (0) 1
DOMINIC Chungwa might have saved under fire coach Mark Mathe when he scored deep in injury time to salvage three points for stuttering Caps United at Lafarge yesterday.
With the game seemingly heading for a draw, a result that could have worsened Mathe’s situation at Caps, Chungwa pounced onto a Leonard Tsipa cross and stabbed home in the 92nd minute.
Mathe, who was sitting on a two-match ultimatum going into yesterday’s match, celebrated as if he had won the league title.
“We had to fight for our coach, we are a united team and we work for each other. Well done to all the boys,” said Chungwa soon after the final whistle.
The result saw Caps United leapfrog inconsistent Harare City into sixth position while Flame Lily, who recorded their first defeat under Backylyfield Chiwenga, remain 14th with 14 points.
Soon after the final whistle, an animated Mathe punched the air before he ran straight to the VIP section where board members Modecai Sachikonye and Abraham Kawadza were positioned and gave them emotional hugs.
Speculation was rife Mathe would have been shown the door by club president Farai Jere had he lost yesterday’s game.
But the former Highlanders coach survived, at least for now, and he is feeling the heat.
Record breaking Kalisto Pasuwa and Moses “Bambo” Chunga are some of the names being touted for the Caps United job.
Chunga, who enjoys a cordial relationship with Caps United owner Jere, did not dismiss the link yesterday although he insisted no tangible offer had come from Makepekepe.
However, Mathe denied being given any ultimatum although the manner in which he celebrated yesterday’s win suggested otherwise.
“It is unfortunate people are talking about this ultimatum, I read about it in the Press and no one from the club’s executive told me about it. But I must admit we desperately needed this victory, the fans are justified when they vent their anger on the coaches because they pay their hard earned cash to watch us play. Now we have to build on this victory and start collecting more points,” said Mathe.
He has a chance to cement his place on the Caps United technical bench in the next two league assignments against relegation candidates Tsholotsho and Dongo Sawmill.
Both matches are at home.
Flame Lily coach Chiwenga, who had presided over five consecutive draws prior to yesterday’s encounter, feels there is still time for his charges to pick themselves up, pick up points and survive.
The game also saw former Dynamos and Chiredzi FC striker Norman Maroto make a return to the Premiership as a second half substitute for Flame Lily.
Meanwhile, midfielder Benson Maglasi rose from the bench to score a brace as Harare City dispatched Dongo Sawmill 2-0 at Rufaro yesterday.
The former Caps United man, who came on a minute after the hour mark, thrust City into a deserved lead after being on the pitch for just four minutes, meeting a perfect cross from the impressive Kudakwashe Kumwala.
Maglasi completed his brace 10 minutes from fulltime with a low shot that beat an exposed Farai Samunyayi, in goals for the visitors, after being set up by fellow second half substitute Francisco Zekumbawire.
The win took the Sunshine Boys’ points tally to 29 and into fifth on the log while Dongo remain stuck at the foot of the standings with a miserable 12 points.
With their 10th defeat of the season alarm bells are beginning to sound at the Premiership debutants but assistant coach Dananai Chinowawa believes they can still avoid the chop.
City’s assistant coach Witness Munkuli hailed Maglasi for changing the complexion of the match.
Online Reporter