Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United’s fading title challenge suffered another setback, while Highlanders continued their encouraging progress under Benjani Mwaruwari, as yesterday’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League action produced contrasting fortunes.
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 title hopes hanging
by a thread
CAPS United 0-0 Ngezi Platinum Stars
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 their match on Friday, CAPS had the opportunity to trim the gap at the top.
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 Cris 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.”
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.”
Bosso leave Mandava happier
FC Platinum 1-1 Highlanders
The final whistle at Mandava Stadium produced contrasting emotions.
Highlanders’ travelling supporters remained in full voice after the final whistle, while the home fans drifted away frustrated after FC Platinum were held to a 1-1 draw.
For Highlanders coach Benjani Mwaruwari, the result was further evidence his side is moving in the right direction.
But for FC Platinum mentor, Joel Luphahla, it was another frustrating afternoon as his team failed again to turn home dominance into victory.
A draw was probably the fairest outcome in a match of two distinct halves.
Highlanders controlled the opening period, before FC Platinum responded strongly after the break and finished the stronger side.
The hosts took the lead after Garikai Dematsika rattled the crossbar and Highlanders failed to clear the rebound, allowing Oscar Bhebhe to fire home.
Highlanders drew level when Kudakwashe Mahachi combined neatly with Benjamin Adeogun before being brought down inside the penalty area.
Referee Brighton Chimene pointed to the spot and Adeogun converted.
FC Platinum dominated the second half, with Thubelihle Jubane going close and the hosts also seeing penalty appeals waved away before Abram Thahikika missed their best chance late on.
“It was a game of two halves,” said Mwaruwari. “I think we dominated the first half, but in the second half they could have buried us because they came at us.”
Luphahla admitted his team’s struggles.
“I am one coach who rates himself highly and I think at the moment we are punching below the belt,” he said. “FC Platinum are four-time champions and I think at the moment we are struggling.”
Simba Bhora end barren run
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.
Shoko opens account, but ZPC held
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 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.
Ndiraya relieved as Gamecocks return to winning ways
Chicken Inn 2-1 Manica Diamonds
Chicken Inn coach Tonderayi Ndiraya expressed his relief after watching his side end a run of two consecutive defeats, with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manica Diamonds at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Second-half substitute Rahim Binwell Katinji struck a stoppage-time winner to hand the Gamecocks all three points in a match that had looked destined for a draw.
“It was a sweet win. We really needed this win,” said Ndiraya.
“When we played our first game at our fortress, we lost to Hardrock and it was a very painful defeat. Today we really needed to make amends and I am happy for the boys and the whole system.”
Chicken Inn made the perfect start when George Majika volleyed home in the fifth minute.
Manica Diamonds responded seven minutes later, captain Lawrence Masibera heading home from close range after meeting a corner to restore parity.
Manica Diamonds coach Herbert Maruwa felt his side deserved at least a point.
“We did everything to get something out of the game. A point was okay for us, playing away from home against a good team,” he said.
The victory was Chicken Inn’s seventh of the season and lifted them to 27 points, while Manica Diamonds remained second from bottom after suffering a 12th defeat of the campaign.
