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Ricky Zililo, in BULAWAYO
Chicken Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League pace-setters CAPS United maintained their top spot on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table after collecting a priceless point away to former champions Chicken Inn yesterday.
Makepekepe maintained their unbeaten run after six rounds of play but the hosts slipped a place down the ladder to 10th position following a goalless draw at Barbourfields Stadium.
The two sides, who are part of the four teams that are yet to lose a game this season, played an entertaining match, creating opportunities that they however could not convert.
Second placed Highlanders, who had their technical team members watching the Gamecocks and Makepekepe clash at Barbourfields Stadium, as well as fourth on the table Ngezi Platinum Stars, are the other sides yet to feel the bitter taste of defeat so far this season.
Yesterday’s draw at Barbourfields Stadium, which left Chicken Inn gaffer Prince Matore puzzled after assistant referee Phikisani Ndlovu ruled a Michael Charamba’s attempt offside, when the Gamecocks’ attacker appeared to have been onside, saw CAPS United’s points tally move to 12 with the home side on eight after six games.
“We scored but we didn’t get three points. The assistant referee said it was an offside but we saw that it was a genuine goal. We missed our chances that should have wrapped the contest. We need to improve on a few things like urgency going forward and converting our chances.
“Otherwise defensively we were good considering that in our last game against Bulawayo Chiefs we conceded two goals which is good for the team and now we have to work on our finishing to complement that,” said Matore.
Both sides started the match at a pulsating pace, going pound for pound.
It was Chicken Inn who had the first attempt at goal coming in the seventh minute when Charamba turned his marker on the right edge of the box before his left foot shot hit the upright with Caps United goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga cleanly beaten.
Just after the quarter-hour mark, Caps United right back Godknows Murwira overlapped to send in a delightful cross that veteran Rodwell Chinyengetere failed to direct on target.
In the 20th minute, it was Chicken Inn’s George Majika’s turn to fluff a perfect delivery as he headed off-target a Charamba delivery.
Sensing danger from Chicken Inn, Caps United’s coach Lloyd Chitembwe pulled out left back
Lincoln Mangaira for Josiah Daka to close in the avenue that Chicken Inn had opened on their right side in the 27th minute.
Nine minutes later, Chicken Inn’s goalkeeper Donovan Bernard almost gifted Caps United a goal after his pass intended for central defender Dominic Jaricha was intercepted by striker William Manondo, but the 2021/22 Golden Boot winner failed to punish the home side.
Scoring chances fell for both sides, with Murwira twice forcing Bernard to punch the ball for safety from well-hit strikes.
Just like in the first half, none of the sides managed to breach the backline.
Caps United’s gaffer Lloyd Chitembwe conceded that his charges were not at their usual best.
“I thought it was a very good game of football, both sets of players gave their best. I’m happy with the application but I’m disappointed that we were a bit slow in everything we were doing. Our creation of chances was not as good as we anticipated.
“One way or another we couldn’t produce the kind of performances we normally have and it was bound to happen,” said Chitembwe.
Teams
Chicken Inn: Donovan Bernard, Arthur Chinda, Xolani Ndlovu, Mpumelelo Bhebhe, Dominic Jaricha, Clive Dzingai, Shepherd Mhlanga, Michael Charamba, Malvin Whata (Augusto 59 mins), George Majika (Mutungamiri 64 mins), Brian Muza
Caps United: Tonderai Mateyaunga, Godknows Murwira, Lincoln Mangaira (Daka 27 mins), Ben Musaka (Chapusha 64 mins), Kelvin Madzongwe, Devon Chafa, Blessing Sarupinda (Silla 74 mins), Rodwell Chinyengetere, Phenias Bamusi, Thulani Joseph, William Manondo.
Online Reporter