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Zimpapers Sports Hub Reporters CAPS United 0-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars
CAPS United’s fading title challenge suffered another setback while Highlanders continued their encouraging progress under Benjani Mwaruwari as Saturday’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action produced contrasting fortunes.
It was an afternoon where Makepekepe were held at home by Ngezi Platinum Stars to extend their poor run, FC Platinum were frustrated again after sharing the spoils with Highlanders, Simba Bhora ended a three-match winless streak, Chicken Inn snatched a dramatic late victory over Manica Diamonds and FC Hunters came from behind to deny struggling ZPC Kariba.
CAPS United’s fading title hopes suffered another damaging blow after they were held to a goalless draw by Ngezi Platinum Stars at Rufaro yesterday, leaving Takesure Chiragwi’s men 13 points behind leaders Scottland with only 12 matches remaining.
Makepekepe have now managed just one win in their last 12 league matches, a miserable run that has steadily eroded the promise of a campaign that once had them looking like genuine title contenders.
With Scottland having already won, CAPS had the opportunity to trim the gap at the top. Instead, it felt like two points dropped rather than one gained.
The hosts dominated possession and created the better chances but repeatedly lacked the finishing touch as they failed to find a way past goalkeeper Mariyoni Chang and a disciplined Ngezi defence.
Lloyd Njaliwa, Chawanangwa Kaonga and Chris Mugalu all squandered good opportunities, while Chang produced a string of important saves to preserve a valuable point for the visitors.
“It’s disappointing,” said Chiragwi.
“We dominated our opponents and created so many scoring chances but we lacked that cutting edge.
“It does hurt. We did everything but failed to score. That was the difference between bagging all the points and getting just one.
“It’s so painful but we will fight till the end.”
His counterpart Takesure Mutiwekuziva admitted his side had to dig deep.
“That’s a point for us rather than two lost,” he said.
“I thought they dominated the ball but we stood firm as a team and managed to grind this point.
“All credit goes to my youngsters for this massive performance against a team that came at us like lions from the first minute.”
Simba Bhora 2-0 Bulawayo Chiefs
Simba Bhora snapped a three-match winless run with a deserved 2-0 victory over Bulawayo Chiefs at Wadzanayi Stadium in Shamva.
Naweseb McCartney broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark before Lawrence Chaziya wrapped up the points with a second-half strike in the 66th minute.
ZPC Kariba 1-1 FC Hunters
Fanuel Shoko marked his first goal of the season with an early strike, but ZPC Kariba were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against FC Hunters at Nyamhunga Stadium.
The right back put the Electricity Boys ahead in the fourth minute, only for Tadiwanashe Huni to restore parity for the visitors in the second half.
Shoko was delighted to finally get on the scoresheet.
“I’m so happy. This is my first goal of the season and it’s a positive result for me despite the draw. We wanted a win as a team,” he said.
The goal was his first since ending last season with five for ZPC Kariba.
The draw leaves the Electricity Boys 13th on the table with 20 points after a third consecutive match without victory, leaving them needing points quickly to pull away from the relegation zone.
derick.khumalo