Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THANDOLWENKOSI NGWENYA brought his scoring form from the COSAFA Cup squad as he inspired former champions FC Platinum to a thumping victory over ZPC Kariba at Mandava.
On a day when CAPS United needed the international experience of midfielder Kundai Benyu to get a rare Castle Lager Premier Soccer League win over Chicken Inn, it was FC Platinum, one of only two teams still unbeaten together with MWOS, who reminded everyone about their prowess with a 4-0 demolition job on the team with the top-flight’s best defence.
And Ngwenya, with a brace sandwiched between Jarrison Semelani’s opener and Thubelihle Jubane with the fourth, led the way for FC Platinum.
Ngwenya also scored a brace for Zimbabwe in their final COSAFA Cup group game against Mozambique last week, which they won 3-1, but still bowed out of the tournament.
CAPS Utd break Gamecocks jinx
After six long years of frustration, CAPS United finally broke their Chicken Inn jinx at Rufaro yesterday, and they did it the hard way.
Backed by a resolute defensive shift and a moment of brilliance from Kundai Benyu, the Green Machine edged the Gamecocks 1-0 in a close contest.
It was a result that had eluded CAPS United since September 12, 2018, when they last defeated the Bulawayo side 2-1 at Luveve.
Since then, Chicken Inn had dominated this fixture.
But this time, a single clinical moment in the 64th minute settled it.
It came when Benyu, calling on his pedigree, ghosted into space just outside the box and coolly slotted home after being picked out by a low pass from Eric Manokore on the left.
It was the only clear-cut chance CAPS created, and they made it count.
“The boys’ mental strength has gone up a bit. They now understand the importance of the badge and that they need to fight for it, so it is progress,” CAPS United coach Ian Bakala said after the match.
Under Bakala, CAPS have now picked eight points from five matches, including back-to-back wins over Manica Diamonds and Chicken Inn, to lift themselves out of the relegation zone, at least for now.
Penalty pain! DeMbare denied by upright in Gibbo drama
Dynamos let slip a golden chance to finally bag a second win this season after a dramatic penalty miss cost them full points in a tense 1–1 draw against Bikita Minerals.
Skipper for the day, Shadreck Nyahwa, standing in for the injured Emmanuel Jalai, gave DeMbare the lead in the 20th minute with a powerful header from a corner delivered by Abel Gwatidzo.
Gwatidzo had forced Bikita goalkeeper Biggie Temera into a sharp save from an audacious near post effort.
The hosts hit back in the 31st minute, also from a corner.
This time it was Tinashe Ruzive who rose unmarked in the box to nod home a Blessing Kagudu delivery, restoring parity and setting the tone for a compelling battle.
Dynamos coach Saul Chaminuka made two changes in the second half, bringing on Vusa Ngwenya for Brandon Jerimani at the break and then introducing Leeroy Mavhunga for Valentine Kadonzvo on the hour mark.
Enasio Perezo Jnr had a shot blocked by a blatant handball from Pascal Shumbaimwe in the box, but referee Thembinkosi Sibanda waved play on, ignoring loud appeals from Dynamos players and technical staff.
Then, just three minutes later, justice seemed poised to be served when Frank Agyemang was hacked down by Chelsea Nyakope inside the area, and Sibanda pointed to the spot.
But what followed left Dynamos’ fans disappointed.
Mavhunga stepped up and smacked his penalty against the upright, blowing a huge chance to seal the points.
After the final whistle, stand-in captain Nyahwa, did not wait for the warm down. He ripped off his shirt and sprinted straight into the dressing room, a clear picture of frustration.
Chaminuka was not surprised.
“I didn’t see him, but I think he was disappointed by the penalty situation,” he said. “As captain, he knows he has to answer to me why he gave in to Leeroy taking the penalty instead of our usual taker.”
It was not just the miss, it was who took it.
“I’m disappointed, to tell you the truth,” fumed Chaminuka. “I don’t know why we changed our penalty taker. We do this at training, but then in games we appear like we’re joking.
“I had told them, we were going to get a penalty, if not two. The whole week I was saying it because of how we play and how we attack.
“Temptation is our specialist. He takes them at training. Today I was shocked to see Leeroy take it. I almost shouted, ‘No! No! No!’ but I thought maybe the players had agreed, and sometimes, as a coach, if you interfere too much in that moment, you lose the dressing room.
But that was childish. You let the specialist do his job. Just like in Europe, they have players for these moments.”
This was Chaminuka’s fourth match in charge since replacing Lloyd Chigove. He is still chasing his first win, having now drawn three and lost one.
“If you look at all the games we’ve drawn, we could’ve won them,” he said. “We’re creating better chances than our opponents. We’re playing good football, but we’re not convincing in front of goal.
“We need to score more. One goal isn’t enough. We need to score two or three and see if our opponents can come back from that.”
For Bikita, who continue to punch above their weight in their second PSL season, assistant coach Arnold Jani was content with the performance, but lamented missed opportunities.
TelOne end GreenFuel’s 18-month home-run
GreenFuel’s proud unbeaten home record finally crumbled as Panashe Mutasa’s second-half goal off a header gave TelOne a 1-0 triumph at the GreenFuel Arena in Chisumbanje.
Taurai Mangwiro’s men had not lost a single home league match since their promotion and went the entire 2024 season without defeat in Chisumbanje, turning the venue into one of the league’s toughest grounds for visiting teams.
But all that came to an end yesterday as Herbert Maruwa’s side executed a disciplined second-half performance to hand the hosts their first home loss in over 18 months.
“Records are there to be broken,” said a pleased Maruwa after the match. “We lost to FC Platinum, we had a good run at Ascot, but eventually lost, and today they finally lost to us.
“I am very happy with the way we played, and we need to build our confidence from this result.”
Yadah Stars bust winless streak
At The Heart stadium, Yadah ended their five-match winless streak with a Mandlenkosi Mlilo header in the 10th minute against Herentials, enough to give The Miracle Boys maximum points for the first time in six matches.
