Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira at Barbourfields Stadium
Highlanders 1
CAPS United 0
CAPS United’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign continued its alarming nosedive at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday, as Highlanders handed them a bruising 1-0 defeat — a scoreline that barely tells the full story of Makepekepe’s unraveling.
It was billed as the Battle of the Cities. But by full-time, only one team resembled a side fit to carry the pride of its city. Highlanders were not at their most fluent, yet they did enough — enough to expose CAPS United’s brittle confidence, lack of cohesion and, crucially, absence of belief.
This was CAPS’ third consecutive loss. They have now collected just one point from their last four games, and questions around the future of coach Lloyd Chitembwe — who pointedly skipped the post-match Press conference — have reached deafening levels.
The match exploded into life just two minutes after kick-off. Highlanders forward Reason Sibanda pounced on a perfectly weighted through ball from Brighton Ncube, timed his run to perfection, and calmly slotted past the exposed Harmony Nare at the near post.
For CAPS United, it was a familiar nightmare. Caught napping, punished early, and left scrambling for the rest of the contest.
The goal rocked the visitors and gave Highlanders a psychological grip on the game that they never truly surrendered. In front of a passionate, if smaller than usual, Bosso crowd, the hosts pressed with intent, defended with hunger, and made their chances count.
Highlanders could have doubled their lead two minutes later when Prince Ndlovu burst through, but instead of teeing up the unmarked Ncube, he selfishly went for goal and skewed his effort wide. It was a let-off for CAPS — but one they never looked capable of capitalising on.
To CAPS’ credit, they found their rhythm after the opening 15 minutes and began to control the ball in midfield. Kundai Benyu and Juan Mutudza worked tirelessly to link play, while Bruce Kangwa — perhaps the only player in green who looked consistently committed — covered huge defensive ground and even drove the team forward.
But for all their possession and probing, Makepekepe lacked venom. They carved out half chances, forced goal-line clearances from Arthur Ndlovu and Luckmore Mutumbi, and even rattled the crossbar — but they never really looked like scoring.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow,” said assistant coach Tonderai Marume, left to explain the defeat as Chitembwe stayed away.
“We did enough to be in the game. Tactically and physically we were there. But games are decided by moments, and we switched off at a crucial time.”
They thought they’d rescued a point in the second half when Love Mabiala’s looping header appeared to cross the line — but the assistant referee’s flag stayed down, and the referee waved play on. CAPS players briefly surrounded the officials in protest, but it was in vain. The ball — and the game — was gone.
The narrative is becoming painfully predictable for CAPS United supporters. Dominating possession without converting it, creating chances but failing to finish them, conceding early or late goals from lapses in concentration — and walking away empty-handed. They have now scored just three goals in their last five matches, a damning statistic for a team that once prided itself on flair and firepower.
At the other end, Highlanders held their ground. With skipper Andrew Mbeba unavailable, Melikhaya Ncube led by example in defence, while goalkeeper Reward Muza, on his first start of the season, pulled off a stunning double save in the second half to preserve the lead.
Bosso coach Kelvin Kaindu praised the character of his side after grinding out the win.
“CAPS haven’t been picking up points, so we knew they would come with everything,” Kaindu said.
“We had to be solid. We took our chance and defended with heart. There were moments we could’ve added more, but in the end, it’s the points that count.”
As the final whistle blew, a roar erupted from the Soweto Stand, signalling both relief and celebration. This win, following their 4-0 demolition of Kwekwe United, gives Bosso their second home victory and reasserts their credentials as a side capable of digging in when it matters.
For CAPS United, it was another bruising chapter in what is fast becoming a crisis season. A squad full of seasoned names is playing like a team with no answers, no direction, and no spark. And with their head coach absent from the press room, the silence spoke volumes. The road back to respectability looks long — and right now, there is no clear sign CAPS United are up for the journey.
Teams
Highlanders: Reward Muza (gk), Talent Dube (Brian Mlotshwa 63’), Arthur Ndlovu, Melikhaya Ncube, Reason Sibanda (McKinnon Mushore 78’), Prince Ndlovu (Hubert Ncube 63’), Malvern Hativagoni, Brighton Ncube (Tendai Muvuti 78’), Mason Mushore, Never Rauzhi, Luckmore Mutumbi.
CAPS United: Harmony Nare (gk), Kelvin Mangiza, Kundai Benyu (Eric Manokore 65’), Bruce Kangwa, Hastings Chapusha, Brighton Manhire, Phineas Bhamusi, Love Mabiala (Junior Bunjira 65’), Tanaka Shandirwa, Juan Mutudza (Jayden Bakari 75’), Joseph Mbollo.
