malvernmugadzikwa
Patrick Chitumba in GWERU
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Green Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe paid tribute to his club’s fans for rallying his troops as Makepekepe finally bucked a five-match Castle Lager Premier Soccer League winless run with a deserved victory at Bata yesterday.
The Premiership giants, who this weekend chose to play at their alternative venue — Bata — after shifting base to Barbourfields, albeit unsuccessfully, had to finish yesterday’s game with a man short.
This was after hardworking defender Godknows Murwira was sent off for a second bookable offence moments after 55th minute substitute Rodwell Chinyengetere had sealed their win with a 62nd- minute goal.
Reigning Premiership Golden Boot award winner William Manondo opened the scoring when he found the target when tapping home in a crowded box after 32 minutes.
CAPS arrived for their first home assignment in Gweru on the back of three defeats and two draws. Chitembwe, who last week had threatened to quit his job, saluted their supporters who braved the chilly weather in the Midlands capital to root for his men.
He said the win was also a clear indication that the situation at CAPS United, which led to his mulling resignation, had improved.
“The win belongs to the supporters; they deserve it. They have been starving of celebration and this football club is theirs.
“No one can begrudge them for being in a celebratory mood,’’ Chitembwe said.
“We have been going through a phase where there was so much disunity within the club. When things were not going on well, everyone noticed. If they are going on well like they are now, results speak for themselves.
“I have always said we have the players, a good team, but there were challenges we were facing. I am glad things are getting back to normal at the club for everyone involved,’’ he said.
Green Fuel gaffer Rodwell Dhlakama bemoaned his team’s lack of precision upfront.
“We lost it in the first half. We created chances and failed to score.
“We made two blunders and CAPS United utilised the chances and we lost the match,” Dhlakama said.
In a game that got off to a high tempo, Murwira sent in a cross from the right flank that was met by Hastings Chapusha, whose header was ruled offside, with Green Fuel goalkeeper David Bizabani a beaten man.
Moments later, CAPS United got another chance from a free-kick just outside the 18-yard area, but a weak effort by Murwira was easily dealt with by Bizabani.
It was not long before the hosts found the breakthrough, courtesy of Manondo’s tap-in after a goal mouth melee.
CAPS kept the front foot after the breather but Green Fuel were resolute in defence.
Raymond Uchena nearly restored parity for Green Fuel, but he missed an open goal after 48 minutes, and with goalkeeper Ashley Rayners at his mercy.
The debutants were to pay the price for that glaring miss when Chinyengetere, who had come on for Manondo, made it two, with the former Soccer Star of the Year profiting from a Bizabani howler.
Moments later, CAPS United were reduced to 10 men after Murwira was given a second yellow card for time-wasting.
Chitembwe’s men then resorted to just managing the game once they suffered a numerical disadvantage and absorbed everything that desperate Green Fuel threw at them.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu