Chronicle Editor
Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Caps United 0 – 0 Manica Diamonds
Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe believes the Green Machine are on course with their recovery process despite playing a goalless draw against Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
The Green Machine yesterday dominated the flow of the game but both teams took turns to miss scoring chances.
Makepekepe yesterday featured two of their mid-season signings Blessing Sarupinda and Powell Govere.
Sarupinda, who returned to the Green Machine after a short stint in South Africa, started with some bright moves before fizzling out in the second half and paving way to Warriors trialist, Govere, who came in with bundles of energy late on.
The game, featuring two of the most prolific strikers in the league William Manondo and Nyasha Chintuli, disappointingly ended goalless.
Makepekepe had the first chance at goal when Manondo benefitted from a through ball from Sarupinda, with just five minutes played, but the execution from the league’s top scorer was disappointing.
Then the visiting goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo went down to parry Kelvin Bulaji’s scorching low shot soon after the restart as goals eluded both teams.
But the best chance of the day fell to Manica Diamonds. Veteran midfielder Pasca Manhanga was the Fall Guy when he somehow dragged his shot wide after receiving a good pass from Michael Tapera with the goal in front of him, after 27 minutes.
The visitors made a forced substitution after defensive midfielder Liberty Chakoroma injured himself in a tussle with Sarupinda just before the break.
Their forward Lucky Vundla could have done better in the 76th minute when he failed to control his shot, coming face to face with the keeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.
The Green Machine goalkeeper ensured the scoreline remained unchanged when he saved Chintuli’s close range header before the forward misdirected his shot wide from the rebound in the 87th minute.
The Green Machine, who are still flirting with possible relegation early in the second half of the season, moved one place up to 13th in the log standings.
But Chitembwe drew positives from their performance in the last few matches and believes they are on the right trajectory as they move towards the business end of the season.
Teams:
Caps United: T. Mateyaunga, K. Bulaji, V. Musarurwa, L. Mangayira, B. Musaka, D. Chafa, B. Sarupinda (P. Govere, 68th minute), P. Bamusi, J. Tulani, W. Manondo (D. Makurumidze, 90th minute), E. Mandiranga
Manica Diamonds: J. Muchambo, E. Mafirenyika (T. Mamvura, 46th minute), B. Chikwenya, T. Ndlovu, C. Munzabwa, L. Chakoroma (R. Mufudza, 44th minute), P. Manhanga, F. Mugumwa (N. Chintuli, 55th minute), C. Teguru, M. Tapera L. Vundla.
Online Reporter