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a section of overjoyed CAPS United fans tossed money at him following their team’s victory over FC Platinum in a Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Dube, a former FC Platinum goalkeeper, made the difference when he saved a penalty from Nelson Maziwisa in the 83rd minute, although he was beaten by another spot-kick from Allan Gahadzikwa in the 88th minute.
Referee Langton Chitsa awarded FC Platinum their first penalty after defender Ronald Pfumbidzai had fouled Maziwisa inside the box as CAPS United were leading 2-0.
Hard-running forward Dominic Chungwa thrust CAPS United into the lead after 25 minutes during the first half which lacked quality, but was never short of mediocrity as both teams struggled to knit complete passes.
Moses Muchenje then increased the hosts’ lead after nodding in a corner flighted by Pfumbidzai in the 57th minute during a second half that at least brought a bit of entertainment for the handful of fans.
FC Platinum also came out of their shells and asked the CAPS United backline a number of questions and their resilience was repaid when Maziwisa won the penalty, but Dube stood out as the hero.
He also pushed away Thabani Kamusoko’s thunderbolt, struck from at least 40 yards, over the bar in the 76th minute minutes after the CAPS United goalkeeper had thwarted Michelle Katsvairo.
When Chitsa blew to end the match, Dube went to the CAPS United fans on Bay 17 to salute them and some of them threw a few notes and coins at the man-of-the-match.
The windfall for Dube came amid reports that the Green Machine had been struggling to pay winning bonuses to their players of late.
“We were playing against my former team and we could not have lost against them. This game was very special for me.
“Actually, I was waiting for this match (against FC Platinum). I had been working very hard at training and waiting for this game,” said Dube.
Dube — who has a knack of saving penalties — said he knew a penalty was likely to be awarded against him and he had been fully prepared.
“I knew a penalty was going to come, but I just did not want to lose to my former teammates,” he said.
Dube said he had no hard feelings at leaving FC Platinum and is focused on bouncing back at least into the Warriors squad.
“It was not me against FC Platinum but this game was CAPS united versus FC Platinum because our defence did well to block some efforts that could have been converted.
“The gesture by the fans (tossing notes at him) is great for me. It shows their appreciation for me,” said Dube.
FC Platinum have now lost their second match on the trot after losing at home to Hwange during a mid-week fixture.
Some of their fans were not amused at losing six points during the last two matches and were demanding that the executive give the technical team an ultimate as the championship is seemingly slipping away.
Kugona Kunenge Kudada’s coach Tennat Chilumba said they were just going through a rough patch but he remains hopeful that they will rediscover their fine form.
“We are just lacking concentration but we will keep on pushing the boys hard,” said Chilumba. Chilumba said they lost the match in the first half when he was forced to pull out the injured Daniel Veremu before the half hour mark.
“Maybe we lost the match in the first half, I thought the back four lacked concentration. We have these twins (Eric and Kelvin Moyo), they are still young and we will keep encouraging them,” said Chilumba.
But looking back at the missed penalty, Chilumba said they could at least have salvaged a point but he refused to strike Maziwisa on the knuckles.
“The striker was under pressure to score and he was in a hurry. I think Dube did well but there is nothing much that I can say only that for me he is the man-of-the-match,” said Chilumba.
But while Chilumba was sweating over the defeat, Brenna Msiska, the CAPS United assistant coach, said it was a good feeling to win once again.
“Its nice to get three points. We played against a good team and won and that shows that we are going somewhere,” Msiska said.
CAPS United were also forced to substitute veteran defender George Magariro after he aggravated an injury while Dominic Mukandi came on from the bench in the 46th minute.
“Sometimes these youngsters tend to relax and they think that the match is over when it’s not. They forget that we are still playing the match otherwise they did well to contain the FC Platinum,” said Msiska.
As a parting shot, Msiska jokingly said CAPS United are now ready to face Dynamos who are in second position while the Green Machine remain unchanged in seventh place.
Teams
CAPS United: T. Dube, L. Fiyado (P. Tafirenyika 81st min), T. Kumbuyani, T. Munyandari, G. Magariro (D. Mukandi 46th minute), R. Pfumbidzai, A. Chiveya, T. Mahori (M. Muchenje 27th minute), D. Rediyoni , T. Samanja
FC Platinum: P. Mhari, D. Veremu (R. Muduwiwa 25th minute), K. Moyo, E. Moyo, A. Gahadzikwa, T. Kamusoko, W. Mhango (R. Sibanda 58th minute), O. Chirwa (M. Sibanda 60th minute), A. Katebe, N. Maziwisa, M. Katsvairo.
Online Reporter