Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
RELIEF swept through several Premier Soccer League camps yesterday as CAPS United, FC Platinum, MWOS and Chicken Inn all collected victories they badly needed.
CAPS produced the biggest result of the day, ending a six-match winless run with a 2-0 victory over Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium, while Issaka Gurirab’s goal eased some of the pressure on FC Platinum coach Joel Luphahla.
MWOS stopped a run of three consecutive defeats, Chicken Inn won for the second successive week and ZPC Kariba claimed three valuable points in their fight for survival.
But the afternoon brought more trouble for Manica Diamonds, TelOne, FC Hunters and Bulawayo Chiefs, who all lost ground as the battles at both ends of the table gathered pace.
MAKEPEKEPE BACK TO WINNING WAYS
CAPS United finally found their way back to victory yesterday, ending a six-match winless run with a deserved 2-0 win over Manica Diamonds at Sakubva Stadium.
Chawanangwa Kaonga and Chris Mugalu scored either side of the break as the Green Machine controlled the match and pushed the Gem Boys deeper into relegation trouble.
Makepekepe set the pace from the start and collected three points their performance deserved, moving to within 10 points of leaders Scottland, at least for 24 hours, with 11 matches remaining.
It was a result CAPS badly needed after a run that had threatened to derail their season.
GURIRAB LIFTS PRESSURE OFF LUPHAHLA
There was also relief for FC Platinum coach Joel Luphahla at Luveve Stadium, where Issaka Gurirab’s first-half goal earned the platinum miners a 1-0 victory over Bulawayo Chiefs.
Gurirab struck in the 13th minute, meeting Garikai Dematsika’s cross before calmly placing the ball beyond goalkeeper Tinotenda Chinovhiringa.
The visitors took confidence from the early breakthrough and controlled much of the opening half through patient passing and disciplined defending.
Chiefs responded after the break and enjoyed their strongest spell midway through the second half, with Anesu Saiti stretching the FC Platinum defence and Clive Rupiya offering support in attack.
But the hosts could not make their pressure count as FC Platinum protected their lead and secured a victory that eased some of the pressure surrounding Luphahla.
The coach admitted his team had not been at their best, but cared little about the manner of the victory after a difficult run.
“It’s a huge relief. We have not been playing well,” said Luphahla.
“We did not play well, but at times it is good not to play well and win a match.
“I have been under pressure from the fans and the institution. With the kind of support we have been getting, we needed this result.”
Chiefs coach, John Nyikadzino, was left frustrated after his side slipped to a second consecutive defeat.
“I am really disappointed because we created chances, but failed to take them,” he said.
“At this level, if you don’t score, you get punished. We need to go back and work on our finishing.”
MENSAH STOPS MWOS SLIDE
At Ngoni Stadium, Wilson Mensah gave Lloyd Mutasa and MWOS the response they needed, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory over AGAMA.
The Norton side had gone into the match carrying three consecutive defeats and facing growing discontent from supporters following their loss to Dynamos.
MWOS showed their intentions early, with MacSean Murambiwa forcing goalkeeper Wilson Brown to tip a long-range effort over the crossbar in the sixth minute.
Reginald Chinemo also tested Brown with a low strike from outside the box before Mensah broke the deadlock in the 20th minute.
Innocent Zambezi lifted the ball into the penalty area and Mensah controlled it on his chest before firing MWOS into the lead.
AGAMA tried to respond, but MWOS defended their advantage and held on for a victory that stopped their slide.
RUZIVE DEEPENS TELONE TROUBLE
At Ascot Stadium, TelOne passed up an important opportunity in the relegation battle after losing 1-0 to fellow strugglers ZPC Kariba.
New signing Tinashe Ruzive scored the decisive goal on the stroke of half-time, condemning the WiFi Boys to a second consecutive defeat after last week’s 2-0 loss to Scottland.
The victory moved ZPC Kariba to 12th position with 24 points from 23 matches and gave them some breathing room above the bottom four.
TelOne remain 16th with 17 points after failing to take advantage of defeats suffered elsewhere by Manica Diamonds and FC Hunters.
Coach Saul Chaminuka struggled to explain how the game had slipped away from his side.
“The game looked so easy, but how it got away from us, I don’t know,” he said.
“Whether it was the attitude of the players or what, I don’t know, but we keep working.
“We had our moments but failed to score, and when you miss your chances, the inevitable happens.”
ZPC Kariba coach Expense Chitukutuku felt his side had handled the occasion better.
“Today the difference was that we managed the game better,” he said.
“The win here will go a long way in helping us preserve our status in the league.”
MWEHA STEALS IT LATE FOR NGEZI
At Baobab Stadium, two late substitutions delivered victory for Ngezi Platinum Stars as they edged Herentals 1-0.
The match appeared to be drifting towards a goalless draw before Ngezi coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva introduced Tinotenda Ditima and Elson Mweha with 15 minutes remaining.
Seven minutes from time, Ditima forced goalkeeper Marshal Takarinda into a save and Mweha reacted quickest to the rebound, driving the ball into the roof of the net.
Herentals had carried the greater threat for long periods and had an early goal ruled out for offside.
Eric Dombo sent a long-range effort wide after the break, while Clemence Gobvu beat his marker inside the box, but fired over with only goalkeeper Marion Chang to beat.
Their failure to take those chances proved costly.
Mutiwekuziva, a former Herentals coach, was delighted to complete a league double over his former club.
“I am happy about this result. We have collected six points against Herentals,” he said.
“Herentals are not an easy team in the Premiership. They are one of those stubborn teams you can never underestimate.
“To collect maximum points against them, you have to work for it.”
Herentals coach Paul Benza felt his side deserved more.
“I think we did very well,” he said.
“We managed to score in the second minute, but it was ruled out. We kept coming at them for the whole 90 minutes and I am very happy with the boys’ performance.”
MAJIKA KEEPS GAMECOCKS RISING
At Heart Stadium, Chicken Inn made it two victories in succession with a 1-0 win over FC Hunters.
Veteran midfielder, George Majika, converted a 64th-minute penalty after Michael Charamba was brought down.
The result followed last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Manica Diamonds and lifted the Gamecocks to 30 points.
FC Hunters enjoyed plenty of possession, but found no way through a Chicken Inn defence led by Itai Mabhunu.
Even the introduction of crowd favourite, Mafios Chihweta, in the second half could not change the match.
Chicken Inn coach Tonderai Ndiraya believes his side can now look towards the top four.
“We are targeting the top four now, but it is going to be difficult,” he said.
“We will keep pushing. There are 11 games to go and that is a long way.”
FC Hunters coach Nesbert Saruchera admitted his team had not done enough with the ball.
“I think we should have done better,” he said.
“We did not create enough chances. The competition is not easy, but we remain positive.”
Bongani Ndlovu