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Harare Bureau
CAPS United ……………………………………………………….. (1) 1
Triangle ……………………………………………………………… (0) 1
FORMER CAPS United coach, Gishon Ntini had the proverbial last laugh yesterday when his Triangle stole a vital point to dent the Green Machine’s challenge for the championship in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium. Warriors right back Hardlife Zvirekwi thrust the Green Machine into the lead after 17 minutes but substitute Richard Kawondera rose from the bench to rescue a point for the visitors late in the second half as the hosts finished with 10 men.
CAPS United were the first to settle in the game as they created scoring chances, with Zvirekwi directing his effort wide of a yawning goal in the ninth minute after he had done well to beat Triangle goalkeeper Ashley Rayners inside the box.
But Zvirekwi made amends for his classic miss when he capitalised on a defensive mix-up between William Mapfumo, Norman Togara and his brother Pardon Chinungwa to slam the ball home.
Triangle took a rather cautious approach to the game as they remained in their own half in the early stages while CAPS United also lacked adventure to attack as they congested their midfield and tried to use Tawanda Nyamandwe as their target man.
However, Triangle upped their tempo in the second half when they forced the CAPS United defence to work overtime while calling goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube to make crucial saves from Limited Chikafa and Misheck Mburayi.
Takudzwa Mahori, who got a rare start after being previously used from the bench, became the fall guy as he was shown a red card in the 49th minute by referee Norman Matemera for a challenge on Charles Makoto.
Triangle pressed on their numerical advantage and managed to beat Dube when Mburayi robbed Tawanda Munyanduri on the left before squaring a pass for Kawondera to score.
The goal dampened the spirits of the small band of CAPS United fans who had, a few minutes earlier been alive, after news filtered into the stadium that their city rivals Dynamos were trailing Hwange at the Colliery.
Once his team had drawn level, Triangle goalkeeper Rayners, formerly with Hardbody, started playing to the gallery and making efforts to delay the pace of the game as his side held on for a vital away point.
Before the match, Ntini who won the league title as an assistant coach with CAPS United in 2004 and 2005, had warned CAPS United and by the end of the game, he was celebrating the vital point on the road.
“I am on cloud nine because we managed to get a point away from home and that is an excellent result. There were no emotions attached on me about this game but I really felt at home because I was very cool and relaxed,” said Ntini.
Ntini, who has former Warriors goalkeeper Gift Muzadzi as part of his support staff, said he had a strong belief that his side would get a result.
“There was nothing special that CAPS United were doing even after taking the lead. But I think the game that CAPS United played in Mutare and our match in Bulawayo had drained a lot of energy on the players.
“The game did not live up to the expectations because of fatigue but we would be happy if we manage to get points and even if there is a half point, I will be happy,” said Ntini.
While Ntini was celebrating the point gained on the road, his opposite number Taurai Mangwiro was disappointed over the two points lost.
Mangwiro believes referee Matemera was rather harsh in sending off Zimbabwe youth international Mahori for a challenge, the coach deemed fair.
“I do not want to think that the offence by Mahori warranted a dismissal and at the same time we have indicated that we were going to make a substitution and these people (match officials) delayed us.
“In the end Mahori ended up getting a dismissal and I think our game plan went into disarray the moment we lost that extra guy,” said Mangwiro.
Mangwiro felt CAPS United did well in the first half and could have extended the lead in the second half had they remained positive in their approach.
“I feel we could have won the match in the second half but unfortunately we have to share the spoils. We took in a lot of pressure after we had lost Mahori. The defending had been rather sound but momentary lapse by Munyanduri, who had had a good game cost us.
“Instead of sticking to the basics, he chose to be wise and was robbed of the ball that resulted in the goal,” said Mangwiro.
Teams:
CAPS United: T. Dube, T. Khumbuyani, R. Pfumbidzai, B. Maglasi (L. Fiyado 70th min), A. Chivheya, T. Munyanduri, T. Mahori, H. Zvirekwi, T. Nyamandwe (H. Muchiso 84th min), T. Samanja, S. Makatuka
Triangle: A. Rayners, P. Chinungwa, B. Chimwamuchere, W. Mapfumo, N.Togara, P. Manhanga, C. Denias, T. Muyendi, L. Chikafa, M. Mburayi, C. Makoto (R. Kawondera 78th min).
Online Reporter