Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)2
Agama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0)1
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.
Still, CAPS United knew they had to do the work under any circumstances, and they did just that.
Teenage sensation Alleny 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 to 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.
“In transition from their defence to attack, they were using the direct ball. Then, in the first half, they were getting the second ball. We then realised that they were using the direct ball and getting the second ball.
“We tried to make sure that we also congest the midfield.
“You know it’s very difficult in terms of match fitness on the opening day but they coped up and they did well. The goal that we conceded wasn’t necessary, but that’s how it is. If you make a mistake, you concede.
“But the good thing, was the resilience from the guys, how we kept possession, that was marvellous. “That’s the reason why we got another goal. It was very good in terms of how we rotated the ball using the midfield until we got another opportunity to score.
“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.
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.
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 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.
It’s only a league opener, but the win made sure CAPS United started the campaign on top of the log, albeit alphabetically, as Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars also posted identical score lines against their respective opponents.
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 (Alleny Mukombedzi 75min), Richard Hachiro, Brett Amidu (Lloyd Njaliwa 55min), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Kunashe Chando 90min), Junior Bunjira (Tinotenda Meke 55min), Ishmael Wadi, Obriel Chirinda (Takunda Benhura 55min)
Agama: Mathias Jalazio, Hillary Kahanda, Emmanuel Chambara (Takudzwa Chimhowa 83min) Christopher Petros, Benard Chipanera (Langton Chavinda 73min), Takudzwa Chimhowa, Yusuph Khamis (Cain Mashonganyika 83min), Tinashe Balakasi (Richard Kumi 46min), Erick Matiaba (Grey Kufandada 73min), Ralph Nyamupurika, Ackson Laban
