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Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
Caps United 2-1 Hwange
CAPS United coach Taurayi Mangwiro praised Leonard Fiyado’s second half wonder strike which inspired the Harare giants to their third straight win after subduing Hwange at the National Sports Stadium yesterday. Fiyado rose to the stage when Makepekepe needed something special to turn the game on its head after the Green Machine had recovered from a slow start in the first half.
Hwange dominated the first 45 minutes of the match and duly took the lead in the 21st minute through veteran forward Gilbert Zulu.
However Dominic Chungwa levelled the scores soon after the restart with a header at the near post and Fiyado sealed the win with his first goal of the season, struck with a great deal of power and precision from just outside the box.
“He has been struggling but the overall performance from him was good since we started the season. Today he got his first goal, it’s a matter of perseverance and we told him to keep working hard. I am sure it will help his confidence going into the second round of matches,” said Mangwiro.
Makepekepe got off to a slow start and had to absorb the pressure from the restive supporters who were whistling in disapproval as early as the first half.
Caps United chased the game for most of the time as they, after conceding an early goal, needed strong revitalising in the second half.
The coal miners took the lead after Caps United goalkeeper Joram Muchambo punched back a shot from a freekick taken by Masame from outside the box and Zulu quickly pounced on the rebound before the hosts could clear their lines.
Hwange appeared determined to take back home maximum points and a return to the top of the table after they were toppled by Dynamos the previous day.
The prospects looked bright earlier on as they relentlessly pressed forward with Farai Vimisayi, Evans Rusike, Isaac Masame and Zulu causing problems for the hosts.
However Chungwa’s strike was crucial in the Green Machine’s fight back after the forward benefited from a goalkeeping error by Takabva Mawaya, who was in goals for the visitors.
Mawaya made a mess of a clearance as Chungwa grabbed his sixth league goal for Makepekepe after beating his marker to a low cross by Pervington Zimunya on the right on the 46th minute.
The goal ignited frenzied celebrations on the terraces and with the supporters fully behind them, Makepekepe just took the game to their opponents from then on.
Hwange defended frantically but the goalkeeper could not do anything to stop Fiyado’s screamer in the 59th minute after the defenders had made a partial clearance just outside the box.
Mangwiro was happy with the way the Green Machine fought back to maintain their winning streak at the National Sports Stadium. Caps United have collected all 15 points in the five matches they have played at their home ground this season.
The win yesterday lifted them three places up the ladder to third on the log standings behind rivals Dynamos and Highlanders. Crucially they managed to slash the gap between them and the log leaders Highlanders to just one point, as they are now tied on 23 points with Dynamos.
“It was important for us to get three points so that we stay within touching distance of the leading pack. We have had three consecutive wins now and we are very confident. We are looking to our next game with a positive mind,” said Mangwiro.
Hwange coach Nation Dube was disappointed by the loss after his side fell to a second straight defeat. The coal miners lost 1-0 to Chicken Inn in their last assignment at the Colliery and they have now slipped to fourth position on the log standings with 22 points. Dube said their defence let them down in the second half.
“We missed a lot of chances in the first half and I feel that’s when we could have wrapped up the game. In the second half we went to sleep,” said Dube.
Online Reporter