Temba Dube
Tadious Manyepo and Veronica Gwaze Zimpapers Sports Hub
FC Hunters 2-2 CAPS United
FC Hunters win 3-1 on penalties
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi said the Green Machine have no-one to blame but themselves after crashing out of the Munhumutapa Cup at the quarter-final stage following defeat to FC Hunters at Rufaro yesterday.
Makepekepe, in full control at 2-0 after 72 minutes, somehow switched off, conceding two goals from corner kicks including deep in added time.
Ishmael Wadi had put the Green Machine in cruise control with a first-half brace but Ronald Pfumbidzai and Terrence Dzvukamanja cancelled them out in the second half.
FC Hunters, with momentum after pegging their fancied opponents back, kept their composure to win it on penalties.
It will go down as the greatest comeback so far of the richest knockout tournament in the country and a result that Chiragwi and his boys will look back on and still fail to figure out what went wrong.
With fellow traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders knocked out at the first hurdle, CAPS United were expected to go all the way to the final of the competition, whose winners will represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup next year, not least after being paired against minnows in the form of FC Hunters.
But after showing grit and composure, dominating Nesbert Saruchera’s side, CAPS United went blank, failing, surprisingly, to defend routine set-pieces and just like that, the match was back on level terms at the final whistle.
Just like in regulation time, CAPS United were culpable in the shootout, with Chawanangwa Kaonga, Kudzi Chigwida and Talent Chamboko all seeing their efforts saved by Brandon Mnkuli, undoubtedly the hero of the afternoon.
Although Mnkuli’s opposite number Victor James did save Rasmarley Chipango’s penalty, he could not keep out Pfumbidzai, Junior Mwya and Tadiwanashe Huni’s expertly taken spot-kicks.
And just like that, Makepekepe crashed out agonisingly and they now only have the Chibuku Super Cup to fight for this season.
FC Hunters will play the winners of the tie between Blanket Mine and FC Platinum at Luveve today.
“We have ourselves to blame,” said Chiragwi.
“It crept into the players’ minds that we had already won the game.
“But that is never the case in football. We allowed FC Hunters to come back into it and here we are, regretting the manner in which we failed to defend those corner kicks.”
Saruchera, who helped FC Hunters take four points from CAPS United in the league, was delighted.
“I knew we would stage a comeback and it came,” said Saruchera.
“I am happy for the boys and the whole team.”
Meanwhile, former Herentals striker Blessing Majarira is proving he has what it takes to be a good coach.
Barely a year after hanging up his boots in the Premier Soccer League, he has exceeded all expectations in his first assignment, guiding Herentals Women Under-19s to the semi-finals of the inaugural Munhumutapa Challenge Cup yesterday.
In a tense quarter-final at Gwanzura, his youngsters knocked out seasoned Black Mambas Queens 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
They are joined in the last four by FC Platinum Royals, who edged Harare City Queens 9-8 in another nerve-shredding shootout at Mandava after the match also finished 3-3.
Winners from the Faith Drive versus Herentals Queens and Chapungu versus Black Rhinos fixtures will complete the semi-final line-up.
While the other semi-finalists are led by renowned coaches with high-level badges and experience, it is the inexperienced Majarira who has charmed the tournament.
Thrown into the deep end with a developmental squad of schoolgirls and recent school-leavers against seasoned top sides, he has built a fearless side.
His Under-19s ooze confidence and barely look like novices.
The young “Vagoni Vebasa” remain the only lower-league side still in the race, having scored 19 goals in their last three cup games, sweeping aside all opponents.
For a side assembled barely a year ago as a feeder for the Herentals Queens senior team, their performance is nothing short of remarkable.
“I told the girls that we have nothing to lose, so we just needed to enjoy ourselves as underdogs,” he said.
“Many expected Mambas to beat us because they have names and some Premiership experience and I am impressed that the girls stepped up and fought.
“I am still learning, and I believe my experience as a player is also coming in handy and being a former captain, leadership comes naturally.
“We had quite a good game, the opponent was strong and gave us a good run but I am happy the young girls stuck to instructions and fought to the end.”
Meanwhile, their senior side Herentals Queens play away to Premiership talent-feeders Faith Drive at Chisamba Stadium while a battle of uniformed forces, Chapungu versus Black Rhinos, takes place at Manyame Airbase. Both fixtures kick off at 11:00.
Results
Herentals U-19 1-1 Black Mambas Queens (Herentals win 6-5 on penalties)
Platinum Royals 3-3 Harare City Queens (Platinum Royals win 9-8 on penalties).
