Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United….………………… . . . (o) 1
ZPC Kariba……………………… . . (0) 1
(CAPS United won 4-2 after penalties)
CAPS United yesterday made it to the semi-final of the Chibuku Super Cup for the second time since inception of the country’s second biggest football knockout competition.
Takesure Chiragwi’s men nearly paid dearly for missing a glut of chances in regulation time before having to come from behind against battling ZPC Kariba in the quarter-final encounter at Rufaro and force the tie into the nerve-wrecking penalty shootout lottery.
After falling out of the 2026 league championship title race, CAPS United have now set the two knockout tournaments – ZIFA Munhumutapa Challenge Cup and the Chibuku Super Cup — as their main targets for this season.
CAPS United are keen to reclaim their long-lost crown of “Cup Kings’’ and have watched in agony as their major city rivals, Dynamos, powered to consecutive Chibuku Super Cup titles in the last three seasons.
Ironically, it was Dynamos who handed CAPS United a 2-0 defeat in the only other tie they reached the Chibuku semi-final in 2023.
Yet, Makepekepe will be the first to acknowledge that they laboured their way to victory, although Chiragwi and his men could point to their character after rallying from behind to level the full-time scores at 1-1 and then ensure penalties would decide the tie.
ZPC Kariba had surged ahead through Malvin Whata in the 74th minute before Malawian Lloyd Njaliwa headed the hosts back into the game five minutes later.
“I am happy that we managed to squeeze into the semis. We knew it would be a tough match and we had to bring our best foot forward,” said Chiragwi afterwards.
“We needed to ensure at all costs that we stay in the competition; it also comes as a motivation going back into the league and Munhumutapa . . . but we need to work on our finishing.”
ZPC Kariba coach Expense Chitukutuku, whose side are floating just above the relegation zone in the league, was disappointed by their quarter-final exit.
“I am disappointed to be out of the competition; we really needed to progress because it would keep us motivated even in the league.
“However, we now go back and focus on our survival in the league while also building for the coming season, ” he said.
ZPC goalkeeper Future Sibanda was called into action as early as the fourth minute, pulling off a sharp low save to deny Talent Chamboko’s drilled effort from inside the box.
After surviving the scare, ZPC Kariba gradually came out of their shell and hit back with their own counter attacks.
It quickly turned into a midfield battle as both sides scrapped for second balls and fought for territorial advantage.
On the half-hour mark, Ishmael Wadi went close to breaking the deadlock when Davison Marowa whipped in a good cross from the right flank, but the Warriors forward dragged his shot wide.
Three minutes later, CAPS carved out another glorious opportunity after Wadi burst in behind the ZPC Kariba backline, finding himself one-on-one with Sibanda, but he fired into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Soon after the break, CAPS United created and spurned three clear-cut chances in the first 10 minutes.
Frustrated by the missed chances, Chiragwi sought to change things and threw in Kundai Benyu and Alleny Mukombedzi for Uchizi Vunga and Crispin Mugalu.
But there were to be no further goals and in the lottery CAPS United goalkeeper Victor James emerged the hero.
The battle had to be decided in penalties when Nyasha Gurende, Njaliwa, Benhura and Wadi ensured four for CAPS, while Wayne Kamurai and Collen Muleya found two for ZPC Kariba.
Kudzai Chigwida had missed the opening penalty for CAPS, while James saved from ZPC’s Philton Mudzingwa and Sibanda just dragged his effort wide off the post.
