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CAPS United hotshot Simba Sithole continued with his rich goal-scoring form when he grabbed his second hat-trick of the season to help the Green Machine overpower Masvingo United at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The Young Warriors striker, who had experienced a barren spell last month, appears to have rediscovered his touch as he took his season’s tally to 10 goals after grabbing a brace in their last game against Kiglon.
Sithole first got his name on the scoresheet in the 29th minute when he doubled CAPS United’s lead after goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda had put the home side ahead from the penalty spot four minutes earlier.
Sithole then returned to complete his brace in the last 10 minutes of the game to ensure Makepekepe, who thumped Kiglon 5-1 in their previous outing, collected maximum points in yet another convincing manner.
Masvingo have been poor travellers this season and they only got their consolation with a beautifully struck effort from midfielder Isaac Chapura on the half-hour mark.
But goalkeeper Sibanda, who gave a good account of himself with set pieces could also claim credit for CAPS’ last goal, which Sithole only touched slightly to aid it home.
The big goalkeeper flighted a high ball into the area after referee Ronald Mwanjira had awarded the Green Machine a free-kick near the centre line and it had the slightest of contact, with Sithole’s head, as it went in.
The referee, who had a better view, attributed the goal to Sithole and he took the match ball home for his hattrick.
CAPS United coach Moses Chunga was happy with the result, which lifted Makepekepe back into the top four on the table with 20 points.
“As I have said before, this is a marathon and I am happy that we collected points and we are keeping up with the pace.
“We had a good game but our execution in front of goal let us down. We could have won by a bigger margin if we had utilised all the chances especially in the first half,” said Chunga.
The Green Machine were dominant but they rushed their efforts and wasted good opportunities as they tried to find quick goals to appease their restive supporters.
Midfielder Charles Chiutsa, playing his best game for Makepekepe, twice came close early in the game and goalkeeper Francis Tizayi had to make a good save to stop his long range effort in the 12th minute.
Masvingo defender Phillip Chandisaita then made a timely intervention in the 18th minute when Washington Pakamisa had made his way round the goalkeeper and sent a low cross that was cleared from the line, with Sithole lurking in the area.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 26th minute when referee adjudged that defender Supprine Muchabaya had fouled Pakamisa inside the box and pointed to the spot.
Masvingo coach Luke Masomere, however, was not happy with the decision to award the penalty, which he felt was unfair, and left his seat on the bench soon afterwards to smoke a cigarette in protest.
It appeared a very harsh decision by the referee but the muted response by the Masvingo United defenders was ironic.
Sibanda stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong side with a powerful shot.
Sithole then increased the lead four minutes later with a beauty when he beat one defender and placed the ball beyond the reach of the badly positioned goalkeeper.
But just as CAPS were still celebrating, Chapura pulled one back with a powerful shot after the Green Machine defenders failed to clear their lines barely a minute later.
However, goalkeeper Sibanda looked dangerous from set pieces and could have increased Makepekepe’s lead at half time but his ferocious freekick crashed against the underside of the crossbar, with Tizayi beaten clean.
That ball had been hit from 40 metres out.
Chunga introduced Evans Gwekwerere at half-time but while the striker was dangerous and made the defence panic, he fluffed two chances in the 55th and 70th minutes.
He was unlucky in the 84th minute when he bulldozed his way past two defenders but fierce his shot was parried out for corner by the goalkeeper.
“It’s not nice for coaches to complain every time but the penalty awarded to CAPS really frustrated us,” said Yuna Yuna coach Luke Masomere.
“You saw it for yourself because even the CAPS United bench was surprised by the decision.
“Otherwise I am not worried about dropping the points in this game because we have also been winning.
“Our priority is to avoid relegation.”
Teams
CAPS United
E. Sibanda, D. Walaza, A. Chiveya, E. Chafungamoyo, N. Mukumbi, S. Matsangaise, P. Tafirenyika, D. Rediyoni (E. Gwekwerere, 45th minute), C. Chiutsa (N. Mkwezaramba 86th minute), W. Pakamisa (J. Lupahla, 70th minute)
Masvingo United
F. Tizayi, V. Sinamayi, P. Chandisaita, S. Muchabya, I. Chapura, P. Makuvise, T. Mapara, P. Sinamayi, W. Makanga, D. Zimbango (B. Chirere, 70th minute), P. Zimunya.
Online Reporter