CAPS fail ‘lithium’ test

Oscar Rusenga in Triangle

Bikita Minerals . . . . . .(1) 2

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

CAPS United coach Ian Bakala was left disappointed after his charges lost 2-1 to Bikita Minerals at Gibbo yesterday.

He was of the opinion they should have at least forced a draw.

For Bikita, goals from Tadiwanashe Murasiramwa and Spencer Mugariri them three points while the victory ended their three-game losing streak, lifting them out of the relegation zone.

For CAPS United, Nyasha Chintuli had levelled the scores but they could not hold on to that.

“Today we didn’t start well, we didn’t do our part,” said Bakala.

“We made a lot of mistakes from the beginning and I am disappointed. It’s so painful losing a game like this.

“A draw would’ve been enough, but we just need to work harder and push more in training so we get the three points in our next league game.”

While CAPS United wanted to keep the momentum, it was a match the Lithium Boys needed victory.

They had slipped dangerously close to the drop. With this win, they climb to 11th on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table, tied on 28 points with CAPS United, but trailing on goal difference after 24 matches.

Bikita started with purpose. New signing Makhelele Gweva was instrumental early on, controlling the tempo from midfield.

The hosts nearly took the lead in the 25th minute, but CAPS United goalkeeper Stephen Kwaku gathered comfortably after a scramble in the box.

Their breakthrough came in the 34th minute.

CAPS defender Chinga Chitoshi, under little pressure, chose to play safe deep in his half instead of clearing his lines.

That mistake handed Bikita a golden opportunity. A long throw-in from Pascal Shumbaimwe landed at Murasiramwa’s feet, and his clean strike left Kwaku no chance.

But the hosts couldn’t protect their lead for long. Five minutes before the break, a lapse from captain Courage Bera, losing the ball, then fouling his man, gave CAPS a free kick in a dangerous area.

Tanaka Shandirwa delivered, and Nyasha Chintuli glanced a header past Biggie Temera to level the match.

After the break, Bikita showed more urgency. They put together a flowing team move that ended with Mugariri slotting home from close range. Murasiramwa, now provider after scoring the opener, set it up with a neat layoff.

CAPS United never recovered.

Bikita coach Wilson Mutekede was relieved.

“We are happy that we managed to get a win. It’s a result that has eluded us for the past three fixtures and we’re glad to bounce back against CAPS United.

“We have a cushion now, but we need to keep working. One bad result and you’re back in the bottom four, so we’re not relaxing. But yes, we’re happy to come out of the drop zone.”

Teams

Bikita Minerals: Biggie Temera, Ishmael Muroiwa, Pascal Shumbaimwe, Chelsea Nyakope, Felix Moyo, Lee Manyuchi (Fitzgerald Banda 90), Courage Bera, Spencer Mugariri, Makhelele Gweva (Keith Mathe 90), Tadiwanashe Murasiramwa (Shelton Moyo 77), Nigel Tsimba

CAPS United: Stephen Kwaku, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Chinga Chitoshi, Kelvin Mangiza, Leroy Chipanera (Adam Tende 71), Tanaka Shandirwa, Junior Bunjira, Nyasha Chintuli, Phineas Bamusi, Mugalu Mutshimba