Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S really looking green for CAPS United after they maintained their blistering start to the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) season when registering their second win in as many games.
Ex-Ngezi Platinum Stars striker Obriel Chirinda’s 18th minute goal proved enough to hand CAPS United victory over Herentals at Rufaro yesterday.
Rufaro was also the venue where CAPS United began their campaign for this season with a 2-1 win over newboys AGAMA.
That 100 percent start helped Takesure Chiragwi’s men to retain pole position on the early log table standings. A beaming Chiragwi felt CAPS United were full value for their win.
“We were better than our opponents in terms of taking possession. I think from the first whistle, we did very well,” he said.
“Yes, we managed to get a goal from a very good combination of players.
“So, at the end of the day, I think the goal is important.’’
Chiragwi said he felt that his charges opted to go into defensive mode as Herentals battled for at least an equaliser.
“But during the game, I think in the second half, probably they were now getting tired, it was now difficult maybe to defend the low block,” he said.
“They were not playing the low block because they really wanted to equalise. But you understand, because if you score one goal, they keep on believing that you can also find an equaliser.’’
Herentals head coach Paul Benza felt they conceded a soft goal despite having a good game.
“For me, it was a good game, despite that soft goal that we gave away to United,” he said.
“And we managed to have a lot of chances, but we failed to convert.
“So, I think it was a good game for us and I think we need to try and convert the chances just like what we saw in the last game. I think we are there, especially in the early stages of the game. We are going to rise.”
Now, both teams are shifting focus to their midweek fixtures, with CAPS United travelling to face Triangle at Gibbo.
MWOS stutter to second draw
At Ngoni in Norton, last year’s runners-up MWOS were left still searching for their first set of points after being held by visiting TelOne.
MWOS had to come from behind, with Billy Veremu converting from the spot to cancel Leeroy Murape’s second half goal for TelOne.
Just like last season, when the two sides met at Ngoni, the match was punctuated by tactical flare and drama in equal measure in an encounter that could have birthed a growing rivalry.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa should have left Ngoni a worried man following the rate at which his charges failed to convert the opportunities they created.
Mutasa reckoned that the goal they conceded was too easy for his liking.
“It is still early days and obviously there is so much that we have to continue to work on, we take the point at home and restrategise for the next game,” he said.
“We conceded a very soft goal and that gave us pressure to the start chasing the game, of course we knew it was not going to be an easy one and we had to be careful in our approach.
“I am glad that we managed to maintain concentration, and even the new players refused to be intimidated and in the end we got that penalty, which is a plus for us in this case.’’
FC Hunters still to taste PSL victory
Debutants FC Hunters played their first away Premiership game, but they were left still quenching for the sweet sense of top-flight football victory after doing well enough to hold 2024 champions Simba Bhora at Wadzanayi in Shamva. The match lacked goals, but it was an entertaining one, with Nesbert Saruchera’s youthful side once again proving they can hold their own in the top-flight.
Hunters winger Benjamin Goliath once again showed some flashes of brilliance, while goalkeeper Kelvin Shangiwa saved the newboys early in the second half. It was Hunters’ second point after they held Chicken Inn in their debut game.
Gamecocks get it right
After being held by Herentals, Chicken Inn got it right as they made Barbourfields feel like home again yesterday after a controlled 2-0 victory over Triangle United that handed coach Tonderayi Ndiraya his first league win in Bulawayo since taking charge of the Gamecocks.
Goals from Lynoth “Sonjy” Chikuhwa and Innocent Masiiwa sealed the result as the former champions moved to four points from their opening two matches.
For Ndiraya, the afternoon carried extra meaning.
After his side were held by Herentals, Ndiraya stressed the importance of turning that result into three points back on home soil.
And the Gamecocks responded early.
Chikuhwa struck in the ninth minute with a simple close-range finish after Triangle goalkeeper David Bizabani was left exposed inside the box, the forward reacting quickest to steer the ball home and settle the hosts.
The early goal gave the Gamecocks control of the contest, although Triangle refused to fold and pushed forward in spells as the match opened up into a lively exchange.
Both sides searched for rhythm in a season still finding its pace. Triangle probed through the middle, while Chicken Inn relied on quick transitions and the movement of Katinji and Chikuhwa up front.
The visitors stayed within reach for long periods, but struggled to carve out clear chances against a disciplined Chicken Inn backline marshalled by Mpumelelo Bhebhe and Innocent Mabhunu.
Masiiwa then made sure of the points late in the game when he finished calmly to double the lead.
Ndiraya welcomed both the result and the return to Barbourfields.
“I have said before that we belong to Bulawayo and we must be comfortable playing here,” he said. “I am glad we played at Barbourfields and managed to get the points. We had planned well for this match after the draw against Herentals in Harare. That result only becomes valuable if you follow it with a win.”
