CAPS United edge TelOne, stretch lead at summit

CAPS United 1-0 TelOne

CAPS UNITED did not hesitate. They hemmed TelOne in, created openings, spurned a few, and then did what has become familiar this season — strike first and shut the door.

Takunda Benhura’s calm finish seven minutes before the break proved decisive at Rufaro yesterday, extending Makepekepe’s lead at the summit to two points and underlining their early season grip on the title race.

There was something to answer for after the limp 1-1 draw against FC Hunters, and Takesure Chiragwi’s men responded with purpose. They started on the front foot, played with speed and intensity, and for long stretches looked capable of putting the contest beyond TelOne inside the opening half hour.

Only TelOne goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi stood between CAPS United and an early runaway scoreline, even if he appeared anything but comfortable.

He almost gifted CAPS a goal inside the opening minute when he spilled a routine catch, but McDonald Makuwe failed to capitalise. From that moment on, it was relentless pressure. Chawanangwa Kaonga and Brett Amidu both went close with headers, only to be denied at point blank range as chance followed chance.

The breakthrough felt inevitable.

Frank Makarati’s poor clearance set the move in motion. Talent Chamboko reacted quickest, delivering a teasing cross into the area. Amidu cleverly nodded the ball back across goal, catching Chikosi off his line, and Benhura supplied the finishing touch — composed, unhurried and precise.

That goal spoke volumes. CAPS United have yet to drop points in any game in which they have led this season.

Eight rounds in, they remain perched firmly at the top.

“I think what is important is for us to keep on winning. Like I always say, you play to win every time. But today (yesterday), I think we did it so much in terms of how we played. Maybe we could have gone to half time leading, probably three, but you also need to give credit to the goalkeeper (Magalane), and all the defenders are clearing those balls which is also good for team.

“But at the end of the day, we managed to get one, and they defended that one goal. That is very good. I think it’s very important to make sure you are very consistent in performance, and make sure you keep on grinding results.

“This result is going to, to give us a very good advantage. You know, playing a league, it’s a marathon. So, when, you’re starting the league, and you manage to grind this out, one is here to make sure that you can also build the team to understand one another in terms of how we want them to perform.

“At the end of the day, if you are trying to do that and get results, you need to respect the players and give them the credit, because what they are doing, once we get into the groove, I think it’s going to be good for CAPS United,” said Chiragwi.

TelOne had moments of promise, particularly late on. Tawanda Macheke struck the woodwork with a header, and for the final quarter they pinned CAPS deep inside their own half, probing for an equaliser. But there was no sense of panic from the hosts. CAPS United stayed compact, disciplined and organised, absorbing pressure and seeing the match through with assurance.

For TelOne, the statistics are beginning to weigh heavily. Eight matches played, still no win. The pressure is mounting, even if coach Herbert “Jompano” Maruwa is yet to show any sign of blinking.

For CAPS United, the formula remains simple. Score first, manage the contest, collect the points.So far, nobody has found a way to disrupt it.

Teams

CAPS United: Wallace Magalane, Talent Chamboko (Tinotenda Make 65min), Nyasha Gurende, Kudzai Chigwida, McDonald Makuwe (Kundai Benyu 46min), Richard Hachiro, Brett Amidu (Lloyd Njaliwa 65min), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Obriel Chirinda 84min), Brian Kadamanja, Ishmael Wadi (Alleny Mukombedzi 65min), Takunda Benhura.

TelOne: Takudzwa Chikosi, Leeroy Murape (Nkosiyabo Masilela 55min), Bruno Mtigo (Donald Teguru 46min), Blessing Matebeck, Innocent Mucheneka, Tawanda Macheke (Elton Chikona 85min), Nqobizitha Masuku (Calvin Chigara 46min), Chelsea Nyakope, Zibusiso Ruguchu, Jerry Chipangura (Farai Matatu 55min), Frank Makarati