CAPS SHOW CHARACTER AFTER BILLY HITS A GEM

Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub

CAPS United……………………….(0)2

MWOS……………………………..(0)2

BILLY Veremu scored a contender for the Goal of the Season but CAPS United showed the character of potential champions at Rufaro yesterday.

The Green Machine stretched their lead at the top of the Premiership table, to two points.

Hardrock’s 0-1 defeat at the hands of Highlanders meant that this was a point earned for Makepekepe.

This was a thriller of a game, especially in the losing stages, which had just about everything on the menu – a red-card, several cautions, four goals, one of which is a contender for Goal of the Season, eye-catching tactics and good saves.

Yet all the climax came right in time added on, MWOS appearing to seal it off with double-scorer Veremu firing home what looked like a certain winner.

But CAPS United fought back and Talent Chamboko scored with virtually the last kick of the game.

Takunda Benhura had given CAPS United the lead with 17 minutes to play, five minutes after MWOS had been reduced to 10-man when Godfrey Manase received a second yellow.

He should have gone earlier but he decided to make a mess of the reprieve he received from the referee.

The Green Machine looked as if they would sting their guests even further.

But MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa had other ideas when he introduced Veremu as he bid to rescue the game. And, Veremu duly delivered and, with a bit of luck, could have actually won the game with his spectacular goal at the death.

“We knew it was going to be difficult because of the last game that we played. I think they lost a lot of energy.

“They were so exhausted in terms of the high intensity of the game that we played on Sunday.

“So, we just wanted maybe to contain them and make sure when we get maybe one or two opportunities like what we did,” said CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi.

Mutasa said:  “I want to say thumbs up to both the teams. It was a tough encounter. I’ve always said there’s no easy fixture in the PSL and CAPS United being on top of the log, they’re motivated to be there.

“But we, as MWOS as well, we said to ourselves, CAPS United haven’t beaten us. And at the same time we’ve never won a match at Rufaro, let’s try and break the jinx.

“There’s always the first time. But, as the game progressed, you saw what happened. We were a man down. They then scored.

“And because of the resilience of these youngsters and the effort, we came back into the game. We took the lead.”

Teams

CAPS United

Wallace Magalane, Brian Kadamanja, Nyasha Gurende, Kudzai Chigwida, Talent Chamboko, Obriel Chirinda (Davison Marowa 80min), Richard Hachiro, Dominic Njaliwa (Kennedy Mupomba 62min), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Bret Amidu 62min), Takunda Benhura, Ishmael Wadi (Phineas Bamusi 80min)

MWOS

Tedious Baye, Jeremiah Makangira (Mathew Murambiwa 68min) Innocent Zambezi, Wilson Mensah, Aristotle Manyamba (Billy Veremu 83min), Nigel Makumbe (Marcelline Mlilo 40min)(Principe Magondo 74min), Reginald Chinemo, Clive Kwangwari, (Malvin Mudzuka 68min), Tinotenda Mutyambizi, Godfrey Manase, Valentine Katsande