Flying start for CAPS United

CAPS United 2-1 Agama
EXCITING CAPS United forward Ishmael Wadi scored one and assisted the other as the Harare giants showed their class to gun down battling Agama in this gripping Premiership Soccer League contest at Rufaro yesterday.

The Green Machine lived up to their billing after a sound pre-season in which they invested well and prepared as much for the season. But they were erratic at times, and that was expected of any team in the opening weekend of the marathon and the condition of the wet pitch at Rufaro didn’t help matters either.

Teenage sensation Allen Mukombedzi earned them the winning goal after coming off the bench just as Agama were fighting tooth-and-nail to squeeze a point after they had scored the equalising goal through Ralph Nyamupurika.

It was a good opening day for new coach Takesure Chiragwi, who quickly endeared himself with Makepekepe fans at the sound of the final whistle. “I think we played well because we didn’t know much about them. It was also difficult to plan because we didn’t know how they were going to play,” said Chiragwi.

“We didn’t know anything, but as we progressed with the game, we also started to understand how they played, their strength and everything.

“Then in the second-half, we tried to make sure that we can also utilise our strength and also try to diffuse their strength. But it’s a very good quality team with players who are very intelligent. I think they’ve got two youngsters who are very good in terms of transition. “Their intelligence, football intelligence, is very good.

“But we should have scored maybe three, four goals. Also, the goalkeeper (Wallace Magalane) was good today.”

Agama looked to be starting the match on the front foot but they couldn’t quite breach the CAPS United three-man defence.

It was at the other end though, that action was intense with Malawian Chawanangwa Kaonga, Junior Bunjira, Wadi and Obriel Chirinda tapping around the ball with a lot of purpose.
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And 12 minutes into the tie, Wadi nodded home to finish a good move started deep in midfield by Tanaka Shandirwa, perfected by Brett Amidu, then crossed by Bunjira before being headed on by Chirinda.

Makepekepe should have added more as they pinned down their opponents, shredding away their resolve but they were wasteful.

Just as the second-half started, Agama dominated and their detailed approach paid off as Nyamupurika chipped over a drawn-out Magalane after a quick turnover of play following some midfield flaws on the part of the Green Machine.

CAPS United sensed danger and Chiragwi quickly responded by throwing in Lloyd Njaliwa from Malawi, Tinotenda Meke and Takunda Benhura.

That added more impetus in their offensive play and by the time Mukombedzi entered the fray, CAPS United had seen two of their efforts cleared off the line.

Mukombedzi looked like a man who had been studying the pattern and he didn’t take long to pounce.
With the game teetering towards a deadlock, Mukombedzi received a clean pass from the left after Wadi had roasted a thicket of Agama defenders.

The 17-year-old trapped the ball well and picked his spot to give Makepekepe all the points.
Agama coach Mark Mathe felt encouraged despite the loss, and for a just reason too, because his players showed a lot of grit and character playing against a giant like CAPS United.

Teams
CAPS United
Wallace Magalane, Chinga Chitoshi, Nyasha Gurende, Kudzai Chigwida, Tanaka Shandirwa (Allen Mukombedzi 75th min), Richard Hachiro, Brett Amidu (Lloyd Njaliwa 55th min), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Kunashe Chando 90th min), Junior Bunjira (Tinotenda Meke 55th min), Ishmael Wadi, Obriel Chirinda (Takunda Benhura 55th min)
Agama
Mathias Jalazio, Hillary Kahanda, Emmanuel Chambara (Takudzwa Chimhowa 83min) Christopher Petros, Benard Chipanera (Langton Chavinda 73min), Takudzwa Chimhowa, Yusuph Khamis (Cain Mashonganyika 83rd min), Tinashe Balakasi (Richard Kumi 46th min), Erick Matiaba (Grey Kufandada 73rd min), Ralph Nyamupurika, Ackson Laban