Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
GreenFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
CAPS United coach Ian Bakala was left to rue the absence of his talismanic midfielder Kundai Benyu after his Green Machine failed to deliver in this dull Premiership draw at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
There was no hint of all those signs of rejuvenation that Makepekepe have been showing over the past six weeks as they produced a flat show in overcast conditions.
The Harare giants were without Benyu, their X-factor in all the games they have won this season as the midfielder spent most of last week down with a flue bout.
And his absence was glaringly on display as the guests dominated both the ball and territory. The visitors, themselves enduring a dry spell in which they haven’t won in six games, showed renewed vigour under returning coach Rodwell Dhlakama in charge of his first game since coming back this week. While CAPS United failed to get a single shot at goal, Dhlakama’s charges were guns blazing.
“If you look at the way we deployed the players, we were looking at a win. We knew that would give us a result. We then got a point but wanted three, especially considering where we’re sitting, we’re sitting on a precarious position in terms of the long standings,” said Dhlakama.
“So we just want to move away from that relegation zone. So we wanted to win. That’s why we also tried to attack. Although we are talking on phases, we see they were not a threat also to us, especially in the first half.
“I didn’t see any shot at goal from them. But in the closing stages of the game, that’s when they clawed back, especially after the introduction of Bunjira and Bakari. But the majority of the time, they didn’t give us much threat. So it was a catch game. It was going to go anywhere.”
Now on 20 points in 18 games, CAPS United climbed a place up the log standings to 11th, dislodging Manica Diamonds who have an inferior goal difference.
On the other hand, GreenFuel, also on 20 points moved to 12th, above Manica Diamonds due to a superior goal difference.
Bakala said getting a point was better.
“They have won the game, they could also have the game,” said Bakala.
“I think it was like we did well in the second half, despite we started low first half. Second half, we did something which is costing and looking at the team we were playing, they were just hitting the ball, which is, they wanted to use height. But we just have to focus, because the league is getting hard each game”.
Teams
CAPS United: Harmony Nare, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Wesley Milanzi, Rouen Tjihumba, Tanaka Shandirwa, Eric Manokore (Jayden Bakare 57min), Juan Mutudza, Phineas Bamusi, Tendai Matindife(Junior Bunjira 74min), Nyasha Chintuli
GreenFuel: Ashley Reyners, Emmanuel Chikwende, Reginald Chinemo, Collin Mujuru, Adrian Silla
Garikai Dematsika, Kudzai Ngwende (Alvin Antonio 85min), Clive Rupiya, Darren Mutimuzunze, Perfect Chikwende (Naison Takawira 90min), Washington Mapuwa (Collins Dhuwa 78min)
