Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United 2-0 Manica Diamonds
CAPS United kept alive their hopes of ending the season with silverware after beating Manica Diamonds 2‑0 at Rufaro yesterday to reach the quarter‑finals of the inaugural Munhumutapa Super Cup.
The Green Machine are now in the last eight of both major knockout competitions, having also progressed to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter‑finals.
Although not at their fluent best, CAPS United did enough to secure victory through goals from Davison Marowa and second‑half substitute Junior Bunjira.
Their previous assignment — a 6‑0 demolition of lower‑division side Scottland Academy — had been straightforward, but Manica Diamonds provided a far sterner test.
CAPS United also went into yesterday’s match with several key players sidelined by injury, forcing coach Ian Bakala Chiragwi to reshuffle his line‑up.
The hosts threatened after eight minutes when Marowa raced onto a sweeping move, but his low effort was comfortably gathered by Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba.
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute after the Gem Boys failed to deal with a long ball into the box. Marowa reacted quickest, turned sharply and slotted home from close range.
Manica Diamonds returned from the break with greater purpose and nearly equalised when Nigel Mpinduki’s dipping effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by CAPS United goalkeeper Victor James.
The visitors began to control possession but struggled to carve out clear chances in the final third.
As Manica Diamonds pushed forward, CAPS United were forced deeper into their half, and anxiety spread among the home supporters, uneasy with the slender lead.
Chiragwi responded in the 69th minute by introducing Bunjira, Uchizi Vunga and Obriel Chirinda.
The changes transformed the contest.
Within moments of coming on, Bunjira doubled the lead, finishing off a sweeping move that began on the left flank. The Manica Diamonds defence switched off again, leaving the forward unmarked inside the penalty area to calmly beat Chitsumba.
The goal ended the visitors’ resistance and deepened the misery of a side already battling relegation in the Premiership.
Bunjira appeared to have added a third late on, but the effort was ruled out after Chirinda was caught offside in the build‑up.
Chiragwi praised his players for grinding out the victory despite the club’s growing injury list.
“The game plan was to make sure that we kept ourselves in the game as much as we could and waited for the right moments to attack. We could have scored two or three goals, but we only managed two.”
He was particularly pleased with the impact of his substitutes.
“I was very happy with Junior Bunjira and the way he executed his chance. He timed his run well and utilised the half‑spaces effectively to create the scoring opportunity. The other substitutes also did very well. They helped us consolidate the win and gave us the energy we needed to finish the game strongly.”
Manica Diamonds coach Herbert Maruwa admitted his side had been undone by defensive lapses.
“It is always tough to be knocked out of a cup competition. We prepared very well for this game and I thought the players did well, especially in terms of ball rotation.
“In the second half, after making some substitutions, I felt we were the better side. But we lost concentration and conceded another soft goal. Despite the defeat, I am happy with the performance from the boys.”
