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yesterday.
Striker Leonard Fiyado scored a beautiful goal late in the game to seal a critical win for the troubled Green Machine after newboy Ronald Pfumbidzai had given them the lead in the first half.
Led by the experienced skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani, who was recalled after being earlier expelled with six others, Makepekepe could not have hoped for a better result they needed to boost their morale ahead of the new season.
Although they may still need to work hard on some aspects of their game if they hope to realise their dream of fighting for the title this year, CAPS coach Brenna Msiska should be happy to have found starting point yesterday.
Rightback Pfumbidzai thrust them into the driving seat 33 minutes into the game when he did justice to a square ball by Hardlife Zvirekwi by tapping past ageing Rhinos goalkeeper Britto Gwere from close range.
Zvirekwi who was clearly one of the few shining stars on the pitch received the ball from a short corner and worked his way into the crowded box before finding the gap.
Fiyado then put the game beyond reach with a brilliant finish when he received the ball on the edge of the box and took the Rhinos defence head-on before placing the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.
Makepekepe who experienced a huge pre-season shake-up after parting ways with several key players, fielded a virtually new-look side with five new faces making the starting line-up.
However, it was their latest find from Pamushana High School, Takudzwa Mahori, who was a revelation with some brilliant moves going forward after coming on as a second half substitute.
Makepekepe’s caretaker coach Msiska was excited by the win but insisted there is still more work to be done to make their side competitive.
The Green Machine could afford to keep on the bench their experienced players like Pride Tafirenyika, Tendai Samanja and attacking midfielder Gift Phiri who joined them from Motor Action.
“For a start it’s good, also for some of our supporters who might have had the wrong perception that the team is dead. We are going to build from here. I am happy we have won but we still have a lot to do,” said Msiska.
“The window is still open for other players to come. I still need a centre back, some strikers and a defensive link.
Otherwise, overall, for today I am just happy with the team’s performance. It just relieved us.
“We have got the right material and this team will go as far as four to five years as long as there is no one who is going to disturb them,” said Msiska.
Rhinos coach Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera conceded defeat but indicated that he was happy with his team’s performance.
The soldiers are returning to the top-flight league after three years in Division One.
Despite lacking clear cut chances they could have done better in the second half when substitute Lot Chiunga headed wide, unmarked in the box after getting to the end of Wilson Chanyuka’’s corner.
Then former DC Academy player James Mukombwe miscued his shot wide in the 83rd minute following a good run down the flank.
“Maybe I am just disappointed with the result but I was impressed with the performance although we need to correct some of the areas.
“But I think above all we were disturbed by playing on artificial turf. Most of the players in the team are not used to playing on this kind of surface as you know we are coming from Division One where we were playing on the (grass) fields. Maybe along the road we will get used,” said Saruchera.
Teams:
CAPS United: W. Chiwetu, T. Khumbuyani, R. Pfumbidzai, A. Chivheya (S. Makatuka, 88th minute), B. Zabula, M. Muchenje, R. Kutsanzira, H. Zvirekwi, E. Fotapimotalla (J. Mutambiranwa, 35th minute), K. Bulagi (T. Mahori, 53rd minute), L. Fiyado
Black Rhinos:
B. Gwere, J. Mukombwe, W. Chanyuka, B. Chandisaita, B. Homora, W. Kapinda, W. Masenda (B. Mugonhi, 58th minute), M. Mine, B. Muzondiwa (T. Machacha, 67th minute), M. Kureva, L. Muhoni (L. Chiunga, 46th minute).
Online Reporter