Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS UNITED let a flood of chances go begging in a goalless Premiership draw with Herentals on Sunday, a result that left coach Ian Bakala fuming and his side still looking over their shoulders.
“It is two points dropped. It’s disappointing because after playing a good game and creating so many chances we could not come out with meaningful points,” Bakala told Zimpapers Sports Hub minutes after the final whistle. “With where we are right now, we are not safe and even the smallest chances mean a lot to us. We should have buried at least two today.”
CAPS took control from kick-off and could have scored inside 13 minutes when Phineas Bamusi whipped in a perfect cross. Mutshimba Mugalu hesitated and wasted the opening. Kelvin Mangiza delivered another inviting ball 11 minutes later, but Bissilla Mabiala also switched off, giving Tinashe Mupumha time to clear.
The Green Machine owned midfield through Tanaka Shandirwa and Kundai Benyu, who repeatedly picked out the forwards. Ishmael Wadi fired over from range on the half-hour, then almost punished goalkeeper Tinotendaishe Takarinda’s rush off his line three minutes later. Mupumha blocked Wadi’s shot and Tanaka Dhlakama scrambled Bamusi’s follow up off the line.
Takarinda pulled off more key stops, including a close range save from Mugalu. The game briefly halted when Wadi’s foul on Innocent Benza triggered a scuffle that drew in police.
The deadlock remained at the break. After the restart, CAPS kept pressing but still lacked the killer touch. Twice Shandirwa carved open the Herentals defence for Mabiala, and twice the Congolese striker fluffed his lines.
Frustration finally boiled over in the 80th minute when Brian Kadamanja was sent off for provoking the home bench, sparking another melee.
“It looks like some of the boys were afraid to take responsibility in front of the goal and shifted the load to the strikers. It cost us,” Bakala said. “The boys lack seriousness. For some time we have been working on finishing in our training but we keep coming back to the same problem, which gives us a clear picture of their attitude.”
Herentals, largely quiet for most of the match, almost stole it at the end. Substitute Clemence Gobvu smashed a shot inches wide of Stephen Kwaku’s far post.
Coach Paul Benza praised his side’s improved defending after conceding seven goals in their previous two outings. “After managing to restrict CAPS without conceding a goal it means that we have improved. Our defense was very impressive today and I am impressed,” he said. “This was a tough game. We managed to control the second half and hold on defensively, which means that we managed to address our problems. Soon goals will come.”
Herentals
Tinotendaishe Takarinda, Tanaka Dhlakama, Blessing Phiri, Tanaka Chidhobha, Tinashe Mupumha, Melvin Mukiwa, Tinotenda Benza, Brighton Majarira, Innocent Benza, Prince Mahembe, Ralph Kawondera.
CAPS United
Stephen Kwaku Odai, Wesley Milanzi, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Kelvin Mangiza, Tanaka Shandirwa, Kundai Benyu, Ishmael Wadi, Phineas Bamusi, Mutshimba Mugalu, Bissilla Mabiala.
