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Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
AILING giants CAPS United continued on the mend after claiming a third successive win for the first time in the Castle Lager Premiership this season with a hard-fought victory over Manica Diamonds at Rufaro yesterday.
Kingsley Mureremba scored the solitary goal of the match with virtually the last kick before the half-time break.
The strike was enough to erase the Green Machine’s woes in front of goal on a day their top marksman William Manondo was off form as he failed not less than twice yesterday to add his tally to 10 goals in the Golden Boot race.
But it was still a good day in the office for Makepekepe, who until yesterday had not managed to stitch together three wins in succession this campaign.
They beat FC Platinum and ZPC Kariba by the same margins in their last two outings.
After a see-saw first 45 minutes that produced no shots on target at both ends, midfielder Mureremba ensured the Green Machine went to the breather on the driving seat after pouncing on a loose ball in the box and scored with a blistering first-time effort that gave goalkeeper Tedius Baye no chance.
Makepekepe were rewarded for their persistence after a series of raids into the opponents’ half.
They could have broken the ice much earlier, though. Fullback Bruce Kangwa made an excellent ball control up-field, leaving Gem Boys defender Lawrence Masibhera sprawling on the grass, but the Green Machine forwards did not do justice to the resultant low cross inside the box, with 23 minutes played in the game.
Then, the league’s joint top scorer Manondo could not believe his misfortune when he failed to turn into the net a low cross by Wayne Makuva a few moments before half-time.
Manondo had a good opportunity to double Makepekepe’s lead in the 66th minute but he dragged his shot just wide of goal after being set by Mureremba.
Following the three-match winning run, CAPS United have now risen to seventh place on the log standings with 33 points from 27 games.
In his ecstasy, the Green Machine coach Lloyd Chitembwe kept journalists waiting in the post-match press conference room.
His counterpart Jairos Tapera, who seems to be feeling the heat after going 10 games without winning, sent his assistant Tafadzwa Mashiri to face the media.
Manica Diamonds last won a match exactly three months ago when they beat Hwange 1-0 at Sakubva on May 26.
They have played 10 games since then, and it appears their problems are a result of poor finishing. Tragically, the Gem Boys have not scored a goal in their last nine matches and this has dented their title aspirations in a big way.
“It’s very disappointing. I thought we put up a very good show in terms of performance but there was a lapse of concentration towards the end of the first half and we got punished. We made some blunders at the back which gave CAPS United the lifeline,” said Mashiri.
Manica Diamonds remained fifth on the log standings with 36 points but they have now fallen a massive 12 points off the pace in this year’s title race.
Teams:
CAPS United: Ashley Rayners, Eric Manokore, Bruce Kangwa, Godknows Murwira, Hastings Chapusha, Rodwell Chinyengetere, Kingsley Mureremba, Wayne Makuva (C. Sithole, 67th min), Junior Bunjira, William Manondo (I. Zambezi, 82nd minute), Lot Chiwunga (R. Kawondera 67th min)
Manica Diamonds: Tedius Baye, Lawrence Masibera, Jubani Thubelihle, Farai Banda, Kevin Gwao, Jeffrey Takunda, Nigel Mupinduki (B. Amidu, 67th min), Pasca Manhanga (A. Chivandire, 67th min), Charles Teguru, Michael Tapera (G. Bero, 46th min), Evans Katema (T. Macheke, 46th min)
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