Caps United hold champions FC Platinum

Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Caps United 2-2 FC Platinum

GIANTS Caps United denied newly-crowned champions FC Platinum a moment to celebrate their success after the Green Machine overturned a two-goal deficit and settled for the share of the spoils in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports stadium yesterday.

Playing just a day after they were confirmed the Zimbabwe league champions for the fourth time in succession, the platinum miners raced to what looked a comfortable lead at the half time courtesy of goals from their in-form forward Walter Musona and Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya.

But Makepekepe recovered in the second half. Defender Lincoln Mangaira scored an equaliser with five minutes remaining on the clock, after adding to second half substitute Ian Nyoni’s 73rd minute strike.

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was delighted by the performance.

“It gives a very good feeling. I think the second half performance was very satisfying. I thought the first half was not as good as I anticipated.

“They dominated the ball quite well. We expected this but I never expected they would dominate the way they did; the reason being that we were a bit slow in terms of tracking down especially during the phase of defence.

“We were not closing them down as quickly as we should have done and at the same time our tracking was out of way. At half time we had to make changes,” said Chitembwe.

His opposite number Norman Mapeza reminded his charges to maintain focused. The platinum miners were confirmed champions on Saturday following Dynamos’ shock defeat against Bulawayo City. Although there are still three rounds of games to play, they have now equalled Dynamos and Highlanders as the only teams to manage four titles in succession.

FC Platinum started on the front foot yesterday and Musona had a good chance to get an early goal. The forward, however, took long before he was closed down after getting a through ball.

But he did not make a mistake when he got an almost similar opportunity in the 16th minute and clipped the ball over the advancing keeper Tonderai Mateyaunga as defender Marshal Machazane guided the ball into the nets in a desperate sliding effort.

Then Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya gave FC Platinum their second goal after 28 minutes. The young forward took advantage of a mistake by goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga and bundled the ball into the empty nets.

Caps United chief marksman William Manondo twice came close in the first half but the champions stamped their feet.

Then Emmanuel Mandiranga crashed his shot against the crossbar soon after the restart after Makepekepe had won a free kick.

Caps United made a double substitution at the restart bringing in Nyoni and Clive Rupiya for Phineas Bamusi and Joel Ngodzo as Chitembwe sought to match the pace of the platinum miners defensively. The move paid off as Nyoni pulled one back on the 62nd minute when he latched on to a cross from Emmanuel Mandiranga at the back post.

Joseph Tulani could have levelled a few moments later but he dragged his grounder just wide after being teed by Manondo inside the penalty box.

Caps United had a better second half but FC Platinum still had chances to stretch their lead. Musona was denied his second of the game by the woodwork after he had won possession just inside the box in the 73rd minute.

But Mangaira equalised for Caps United with five minutes remaining on the clock. Makepekepe launched a counter attack after referee Josiah Masimira had turned down penalty appeals by FC Platinum.

Young FC Platinum forward Ngwenya tumbled inside the box under challenge from Ben Musaka.

With both players down, Mangaira found himself inside the box and shot over the diving keeper.

“It was a good game of football which I think we dominated in the first half but in the second half CAPS United came searching for the early goal and they got it and after that they kept on pushing. But on our part we need to work on our game management,” said Mapeza.

Teams
Caps United: T. Mateyaunga, T. Joseph, L. Mangaira, B. Musaka, M. Machazane, D. Chafa, J. Ngodzo (C. Rupiya, 46th minute), E. Mandiranga, K. Bulaji, P. Bamusi (I. Nyoni, 46th minute) W. Manondo.
FC Platinum: W. Magalane, N. Chinyerere, W. Stima, G. Mbweti, G. Bello, B. Moyo, B. Banda, T. Ngwenya (A. Onifade, 90th minute), W. Musona, I. Mucheneka (J. Mutudza, 76th minute), O. Bhebhe (P. Mutimbanyoka, 59th minute)