Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) 1
ZPC Kariba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3
CAPS United supporters yesterday disrupted a post-match conference as they targeted coach Ian Bakala with missiles following a disappointing home defeat to ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro.
The Green Machine, who were coming from a big win at FC Platinum the previous weekend, put up a tepid performance yesterday and were punished early on by veteran Moses Demera, who grabbed a brace inside the opening 22 minutes, before substitute Charles Munyanyi killed off the contest in added time.
Congolese midfielder Bissila Mabiala scored the consolation for Makepekepe.
However, the Green Machine fans were not amused by the lack of consistency by their team, which remains in danger of relegation after dropping to 11th place.
CAPS United found themselves on the back foot when goalkeeper Stephen Odai Kwaku was beaten by an awkward bounce caused by the uneven turf at Rufaro from a shot taken by Demera 18 minutes into the game.
ZPC Kariba doubled their lead four minutes later after taking advantage of CAPS United’s defensive frailties.
A ball from the right landed on Stanley Ngala’s feet inside the box and the veteran forward, full of composure, decided against taking the shot and laid the ball in front of better-positioned teenage forward Genius Hute.
Hute’s shot was spilled by the goalkeeper and Demera pounced on the opportunity.
But CAPS United’s Congolese midfielder Mabiala reduced the arrears in the 35th minute with a header from a long delivery into the box by Tanaka Shandirwa.
But ZPC Kariba continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the ball and Makepekepe goalkeeper was forced to make a series of saves to keep the game alive.
Kwaku dived to his right to punch a threatening long-range shot from Hute in the 59th minute.
The ball came off the woodwork and Stanley Ngala did not do justice to his team when he sent the rebound over the crossbar.
The Green Machine goalkeeper pulled off two more key saves, denying substitute Fanuel Shoko from well-struck free-kicks.
Then, substitute Charles Munyanyi watched in disbelief in the 79th minute as his low shot crashed against the upright, with Kwaku a beaten man.
Despite their dominance, ZPC Kariba late on employed all tricks to slow down the game and had a number of players including goalkeeper Future Sibanda booked for time-wasting.
But any hopes of a comeback by the Green Machine were crashed when substitute Munyanyi ghosted in and headed the winner from a corner kick deep in added time, after the referee had put seven minutes of optional time to compensate for the second-half delays.
Bakala felt poor defending let his team down yesterday.
“Honestly, I don’t know what happened to the defence today,” he said.
“The way we have conceded today, it’s unacceptable. I think we could have done better for that,” said Bakala.
“I think everyone concentrated on scoring. That’s why they scored the third goal. I think their mind was just to score. We lost concentration in defence and they scored the third goal. But despite that, if we had chances, we could have done much better.”
While CAPS United’s see-saw campaign saw them dropping one place to 11th on 31 points, ZPC Kariba rose to eighth on 37 points.
ZPC Kariba coach Newton Chitewe said the win was key in their fight for survival.
Teams:
CAPS United: Stephen Odai Kwaku, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Chitoshi Chinga, Wesley Milanzi (S. Muzinde, 90th min), Tanaka Shandirwa, Phineas Bamusi, Kundai Benyu, Bissila Mabiala, Junior Bunjira (A. Tende, 46th min), Jayden Bakari (A. Saeed, 62nd min)
ZPC Kariba: Future Sibanda, Ciphas Musikavanhu, Simbarashe Chimanikire, Kuzivakwashe Madima, Marshall Gavaza, Collen Muleya, Edmond Ruwo (F. Shoko, 48th min), Genius Hute (S. Makawa, 84th min), Wayne Kamurai (M. Kamwendo, 48th min), Stanley Ngala, Moses Demera (C. Munyanyi, 46th min).
