Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
Yadah Stars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)2
CAPS United are back in the mud after the 2-1 defeat to Yadah at Rufaro yesterday.
The result means at 28 points, they are only a point from fourth-placed GreenFuel who are in the relegation zone with 27 points.
If they continue losing points, they could soon find themselves in the same situation as their bitter rivals Dynamos.
Goals from Innocent Muchaneka and Tanaka Chikumba sealed a hard-fought win, while CAPS United’s late consolation from Love Mabiala proved too little, too late.
CAPS United coach Ian Bakala blamed injuries to key players like Tanaka Shandirwa and Bruno Kadamanja.
“Oh, I don’t think it was a good game. Looking at our team, we’ve been dealing with internal challenges, so many injuries, constant changes each game,” he said.
“For this match, we had critical injuries where some players couldn’t even play. But even those who started proved themselves. Right now, we’re not okay, but we have to keep working. Hopefully, next week, everyone will be available and add value.”
Yadah, popularly known as the Miracle Boys, dominated early, with Evans Rusike testing CAPS goalkeeper Harmony Nare in the 13th minute and his effort sailing just over the bar. CAPS United suffered an early blow when Bernard Chipanera was substituted due to injury in the 18th minute, replaced by Nyasha Chintuli, who missed a good chance moments later.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Muchaneka unleashed a ferocious free-kick from distance, leaving Nare rooted to the spot.
Yadah nearly doubled their lead before half-time, but King Nadolo’s strike rattled the crossbar in the 36th minute.
Tanaka Chikumba who was introduced as a substitute for injured Francis Mustafa just before half-time, had a chance to extend Yadah’s lead but squandered it just after the break, firing wide.
Chikumba redeemed himself in the 57th minute, slotting home after a slick assist from Nadolo to put the game out of reach for CAPS United.
CAPS United fought back valiantly, with Mabiala pulling one back in stoppage time after being set-up by Junior Bunjira. And he could have made it two to rescue a point, had he put away another chance that came his way.
Yadah’s relieved coach, Takaendesa Jongwe, praised his team’s resilience.
“This time of the season, we can’t run away from the fact that we’re in the relegation dogfight.
“Maximum points, no matter how they come, are very important. We are happy for the three points we got, and I give congratulations to the team,” he said.
“To my boys, they worked so hard. I thought our intensity was on point, especially in the first half.
“In the second half, CAPS came at us. Fortunately for us, and unfortunately for them, we managed (to win).
“The boys’ concentration was on point, and at the end of the day, we scraped through . . . ”
“Every win brings some relief. Today’s result gives you some peaceful sleep for a night. For now, we’ll celebrate, but it’s just temporary. A team or a coach is (only) as good as his last game. So we celebrate briefly and prepare for the next one,” said Jongwe.
The win left Yadah on 28 points in the 13th position tied with CAPS United who are in 12th position with the same number of points.
