CAPS Utd win Zambezi Cup

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
MALAWIAN striker Ishmael Thindwa could as well be on his way to Harare giants CAPS United after he scored a vital goal in their 1-0 win over Mighty Wanderers in the inaugural Zambezi Challenge Cup at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday. Thindwa was the top goalscorer in the Malawian TNM Super League last season as he played for Epac FC but could be making a move to Zimbabwe as he was undergoing trials with the Green Machine.

Thindwa also scored on Saturday when CAPS United drew 1-1 with Silver Bullets in the semi-final of the invitational tournament. CAPS United then won 4-3 on penalties with Ronald Pfumbidzai, Tendai Samanja, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Leonard Fiyado on target while another Malawian Gerald Phiri missed.

To reach the final, Mighty Wanderers had dismissed city rivals Big Bullets 4-1 in another penalty shootout on Saturday. The match between Wanderers and Big Bullets had been hyped as a big clash, but according to reports from Blantyre, it turned out to be a big yawn.
Kelvin Moyo of Topsport , whose company organised the tournament, believed CAPS United deserved to be crowned the champions in the K3 million competition. “CAPS United have won the Zambezi Challenge Cup after Thindwa scored the only goal of the match in the second half.  There were no goals in the first half,” said Moyo.

CAPS United are using the pre-season tour to Malawi to fine-tune their squad and as of last night Moyo was trying to see if the Harare giants could pro-long their stay by a few more days.

“This was a pre-season tournament and we had big crowds coming for the match. On Saturday we had about 27 000 people while it was over 28 000 today (yesterday). “So it was an exciting tournament and the competition brought by CAPS United was very good.

CAPS  United were tactically better as they kept the ball for longer periods than Malawi teams.
“Hopefully, Malawian teams could learn one or two things from them. I know that CAPS United are planning to leave soon but we would like to have them for a few more days.  However, this will depend on their plans because we know that they have other plans back home,” said Moyo.

Moyo said Malawian clubs had not been taking part in CAF inter-club competitions since 2004 and the visit by CAPS United was a rare opportunity for the Malawian fans to watch an international club football.