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Caps United 2–2 ZPC Kariba
(ZPC Kariba won 4-1 in the penalties)
Sports Reporter
ZPC Kariba defender Stephen Sheshe was the hero of the day when his team stormed into the quarter finals of the Chibuku Super Cup. He scored a late equaliser to take the match into a penalty shoot out before scoring the decisive spot kick at Rufaro Stadium yesterday against Caps United. Hosts Caps United looked set for victory after they had come from behind to get two goals in the second half from striker Leonard Tsipa who scored from the spot in the 52nd minute and newboy defender Justice Jangano who got his first goal eight minutes later to cancel ZPC Kariba 35th minute score by striker Leonard Fiyado.
The former Caps United man Fiyado, who was released by the club during the transfer window and joined the Kariba side did not celebrate scoring against his former team when he took a low header to beat the tall Caps United goalie Chris Mverechena.
In the last minute of added time Sheshe grabbed the equaliser when he converted a fine pass from on-fire midfielder Raphael Manuvire to silence the Caps United crowd.
Manuvire then went on to take the team’s first spot kick and duly scored. Caps United defensive midfielder Dominic Mukandi took the first penalty for Caps United but watched in agony as ZPC goalkeeper Tendai Hove saved his effort.
Returning ZPC striker Limited Chikafa then took the second penalty. He netted with a well-taken kick which sent goalkeeper Mverechena the wrong way.
Caps United defender Stephen Makatuka then converted the first spot kick for his team but it was a little bit late as ZPC Kariba’s Dennis Dauda scored the third one while Caps United defender Jangano blasted his effort over the bar.
Sheshe then took the huge responsibility. He did not disappoint, scoring the winning penalty to ease some pressure on his coach Sunday Chidzambwa who was on a two-match ultimatum going into this match.
The defender said he was excited and believes composure helped them come back into the game.
“We kept fighting until we scored in the last minute but composure helped us. In the first half we failed to convert the chances we got. We’re playing well and only failing to score goals,” he said.
Yesterday’s victory was Chidzambwa’s first after four matches since he joined the Kariba side in July.
The former Warriors coach said they were lucky to get that late equaliser after they had let a 10 man Caps United come from behind. He believes the team is finally getting it.
“I thought we had a brilliant first half and Caps United had a good second half where they scored two goals and then we were lucky to get the equaliser.
“We’re working on the team slowly and it’s coming up now,” he said.
Caps United coach Mark Mathe refused to blame the expulsion of forward Tsipa and believes the team just lacked a strong character needed during a penalty lottery.
“We worked on the penalties during training but what matters is tenacity and character on match day. We should have buried the match in regulation time.
“But overally, I’m happy as we were tactically good but were lacking on the concentration levels,” he said.
Veteran Tsipa was sent off in the 62nd minute after he crudely tackled reigning Soccer Star of the Year Dauda. To his credit Tsipa apologised to Dauda when he was sent off and also after the match.
Teams
Caps United: C. Mverechena, V. Musarurwa, M, Mwenya (C. Munzwabwa 85th minute), J. Jangano, S. Makatuka, D. Mukandi, H. Zvirekwi (T. Mahori 46th minute), P. Bamusi, G. Mangani (G. Nyirenda 70th minute), D. Chungwa, L. Tsipa.
ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, S. Sheshe, D. Phiri (R. Madamombe 72nd minute), G. Magariro (P. Tafirenyika 72nd minute), T. Sweswe, D. Dauda, T. Magorimbo, P. Kabwe, R. Manuvire, L. Fiyado, L. Chikafa
Online Reporter