Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in SHAMVA
AGAMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CAPS United missed a golden opportunity to keep pace with the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League leaders after being held to a frustrating goalless draw by struggling AGAMA at Wadzanayi yesterday.
With Scottland beating Hardrock 2-0 in Harare, Makepekepe knew victory in Shamva would keep them firmly in touch with the front-runners. Instead, the dropped points left them four points behind the leaders, their biggest deficit of the season.
The result will hurt more because CAPS United had enough chances to win.
For long periods they controlled possession, dictated territory, and created the clearer opportunities. What they lacked was the cutting edge required of a team chasing the championship.
Takunda Benhura endured a difficult afternoon and passed up CAPS United’s best opening of the first half when he headed wide from a Nyasha Gurende delivery with goalkeeper Wilson Brown beaten.
It set the tone for a frustrating outing in front of goal.
Davison Marowa and Tinotenda Meke also struggled to make their final decisions count as promising attacks repeatedly broke down in the final third.
Yet AGAMA, who came into the match having won just once in their previous seven games, were far from spectators.
The hosts defended with discipline and occasionally threatened on the counterattack, ensuring CAPS United never felt entirely comfortable.
Brown was outstanding between the posts, producing key interventions whenever the visitors threatened to break the deadlock.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi responded by reshaping his attack after the break, but the changes failed to provide the breakthrough.
Delic Murimba came closest when he was presented with a glorious opportunity in the second half, only to be denied by Brown after the goalkeeper had appeared exposed.
It was the kind of chance that often separates champions from challengers.
AGAMA nearly snatched all three points at the death when Bernard Chipanera raced through on goal, but Wallace Magalane produced an excellent one-on-one save to rescue CAPS United.
That stop ensured Makepekepe avoided defeat, but it could not disguise their disappointment.
“We wanted to win, and I thought the players showed hunger, especially in the second half,” said Chiragwi.
“We controlled the game and created chances. Sometimes football is like that. If you keep creating opportunities, eventually the goals will come.
“I think we did a lot of good things today in terms of controlling the game and creating chances. The important thing is to continue working and prepare for the next game.”
CAPS United remain firmly in the title conversation, but with Scottland setting the pace, their margin for error is becoming increasingly small.
Yesterday was another reminder that dominance alone is not enough. At this stage of the season, chances have to be converted into points.
Meanwhile, ZPC Kariba were held to a 1-1 draw by Triangle at Nyamhunga yesterday.
