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Tadious Manyepo
CAPS United…………………………….……….(1)3
Herentals…………………………..………….(2)2
PHENIAS Bamusi was on fire as William Manondo steered clear of the top scorers’ charts after netting his 11th goal as CAPS United cruised to a crucial win that also earned them an instant US$300 winning-bonus each at Rufaro yesterday.
But it was the inspiration that came from their last man in defence, goalkeeper Ashley “Kampos” Rayners that gave them the much-needed lift.
They looked down and out midway through the first half after Lynoth Chikuhwa’s tap in and a low penalty took Bosso to the driving seat.
With the visitors enjoying both the ball and territory, helped in large part by the pair of dominant midfielders McKinnon Mushore and Melikhaya Ncube, the Green Machine appeared broken down.
If anything, Bosso looked the most likely team to stretch their lead rather than Makepekepe halving the deficit.
But Rayners, who has now kept goal for CAPS United in their five-match unbeaten run, was the difference.
Twice, he thwarted Brighton Ncube’s thunderous shots and also denied Mushore from close range.
Needing to perform their own duties, the CAPS United outfield players popped up, Jayden Bakare picking a loose ball on the right by-line and slicing a hard-and-low cross, Manondo met it first time only for Highlanders’ desperately sprawling defender Andrew Mbeba to handle it while going down.
And Manondo stepped in to coolly convert it although ‘keeper Reward Muza dived to the right side.
The goal triggered some hope for Makepekepe to draw level before the break but Bosso held on to carry the slender lead to the changing room.
Then they had the strategy to protect the lead, including a lot of delaying tactics, their players going down easily and at will.
The scheme worked wonders and they even sniffed at Rayners goal more than CAPS United did to Muza’s area but the former was defiant.
He took the role of a sweeper keeper with so much surety and if he proved to the hero the Green army, themselves ever-hopeful, were looking for.
With Bosso plugging all the possible holes and CAPS United frustrated, the points were surely on their way back to Bulawayo.
But Bamusi has seen a lot and learnt a lot in his 12-plus years in the top-flight.
Getting a pass from the impressive Bruce Kangwa, Bamusi accelerated down the box and left a thicket of Bosso defenders literally rooted.
He seemed to overdo the run but he wrapped his left around the ball fairly well and the loitering Junior Bunjira put his firm head behind it to draw level.
That seemed enough for Makepekepe to be jovial given they had twice come from behind.
But they were not done.
Bamusi was behind it all again, lofting the ball over Bosso defenders and substitute Lot Chiwunga trapping it well before unleashing a rising shot that beat Muza all systems down.
And Makepekepe were home and dry.
But after saving seven shots and timely intercepting manoeuvring Highlanders passes, Rayners emerged as one of the stars of the show.
“I am happy with this win as we continue to move up on the log,” said Rayners.
“It was a difficult game and I knew I also had to play my part and I am happy I did.
“I am yet to taste defeat in all competitions and that keeps me going”.
It was a good win for coach Lloyd Chitembwe who showed his tact especially when substituting yesterday.
CAPS United lost the reverse tie 2-0 at Barbourfields early in the season and it was sweet revenge for the Harare giants who took their points tally to 37, just a point behind their opponents yesterday.
And it can’t get any better for a team that looked so much down-trodden and fighting for their lives to be now realistically in the top-four dog-fight.
Online Reporter