Connor hails derby impact

Irishman was facing CAPS United’s bitter rivals Dynamos for the first time and the Green Machine came out second best in the duel despite playing the better football.
“The derby was just what I had expected it to be. It was a high pressure game and had good crowds.
“The fans made noise and added the colour. I am sure the game was a good advertisement for the PSL.
“It was one of the best games this season for me,” said Connor at his weekly media briefings.
In the run up to the match, Connor had urged the match officials to be fair and he believes the referees who were assigned to the game did a fine job.
“I had no problems with the match officials on the day.
“The referee was just good,” said Connor.
CAPS United dominated the early stages of the match with Shingi Kawondera and Leonard Fiyado threatening the DeMbare goal.
“In the first half, I thought we had more success in terms of searching for goals, but Dynamos were strong in the second half,” said Connor.
CAPS defender Douglas Walaza headed the ball back into the path of Tawanda Muparati to rifle home just as the match was seemingly heading for a draw.
“I will not blame anyone for the goal because we lost as a team.
“It’s a team effort and we have to rectify the mistakes ahead of the next games.
“Other than the defeat, I was happy with the derby and I hope for better luck next time,” said Connor.
The CAPS United coach singled out Kawondera, Marvel Samaneka and Blessing Zabula among the outstanding players from his side on the day.
CAPS United have now lost three matches on the run after defeats to Highlanders (1-0) and Hwange (2-1).
And Connor still believes that the game against Bosso was their toughest test.
“In the derby we were just unlucky to lose, but in all fairness we were not spanked.
“I do not think that any team has spanked us except Highlanders.
“But even though they spanked us, we had our own opportunities in the game,” he said.
This weekend, CAPS face Hwange at the Colliery and Connor is hoping that they will get back to winning ways.
“I have realised that Hwange are very good at set pieces and we have to guard against that.
“But this is a new game and we have to prepare,” he said.
The Green Machine have recruited seven players during the transfer period including Kawondera and Fiyado.
At the start of the season, Connor had hoped for a league title, but he has now revised his targets to a top four finish, a view shared by Samaneka.
“I think a top four finish is an achievable goal for us.
“We just have to work hard and I know with players like Shingi now in the team, it’s possible,” said Samaneka.