CAPS cry foul over referee

Patrick Chitumba in GWERU

CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (0) 1

Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  (1) 1

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was left seething over alleged questionable officiating by referee Busani Siwawa, whom he accused of aiding Triangle in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League encounter at Bata Stadium yesterday.

The CAPS United gaffer felt hard done by the Bulawayo-based Siwawa after he waved away what would have been Makepekepe’s second penalty of the afternoon.

The Harare side had earlier benefitted from a second-half penalty, which William Manondo converted to cancel Nobert Zingo’s goal for Triangle.

“Our biggest letdown today was our lack of awareness of the new rule that you are not allowed to get two penalties in a game,” said Chitembwe, tongue in cheek.

“I am sure going forward, we need to teach players that you can never get two penalties regardless of the circumstances.

“It is very disappointing. We need people to enlighten us on these rules.”

Triangle coach Thulani Sibanda was happy with securing a point, especially as his team was going through a lean spell.

“It was a good game for both teams. My boys did well, coming from those two defeats. I liked the fighting spirit and togetherness.

“Russel Madamombe held up well upfront and Ariel Makopa really defended well,’’ Sibanda said.

Hosts CAPS United could have won the match had they been clinical in front of goal.

Chitembwe’s men fluffed numerous chances in the first half.

Captain Joseph Thulani almost gave CAPS United the lead in the opening three minutes but his header was saved by Triangle goalkeeper Matripples Muleya.

Forwards Phineas Bhamusi and Manondo were the main culprits.

After weathering much of the first-half pressure from CAPS, Triangle surged ahead four minutes from the break, when Zingo found the target with a low shot from wide out on the left.

Much as CAPS United kept probing, they could only draw level via Manondo’s penalty off a handling offence by a Triangle defender.

And just like they did in the opening stanza, Triangle soaked up everything that was thrown at them and will feel full value for their point on the road.