Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
CAPS UNITED kept alive their hopes of ending the season with silverware after beating Manica Diamonds 2-0 at Rufaro yesterday to reach the quarter-finals of the inaugural Munhumutapa Super Cup.
The Green Machine are now in the last eight of both major knock-out competitions after also advancing to the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals.
Although they were far from their fluent best, CAPS United got the job done through goals from Davison Marowa and second-half substitute Junior Bunjira.
Their previous assignment, a 6-0 demolition of lower-division side Scottland Academy, had been straightforward, but Manica Diamonds provided a far tougher test.
CAPS United also went into yesterday’s match with several key players sidelined by injury, forcing coach Takesure Chiragwi to adjust his line-up.
They threatened after eight minutes when Marowa raced onto a sweeping move, but his low effort was comfortably gathered by Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Geoffrey Chitsumba.
The breakthrough arrived in the 24th minute after the Gem Boys failed to deal with a long ball into the box.
Marowa reacted quickest, turned sharply and slotted home from close range.
Manica Diamonds returned from the break with greater purpose and nearly equalised when Nigel Mpinduki’s dipping effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by CAPS United goalkeeper Victor James.
The visitors began controlling possession, but struggled to create clear chances in the final third.
As Manica Diamonds pushed forward, CAPS United were forced deeper into their half and anxiety began to spread among the home supporters, who remained uneasy with the slender lead.
Chiragwi responded in the 69th minute by introducing Bunjira, Uchizi Vunga and Obriel Chirinda.
The changes transformed the contest.
Within moments of coming on, Bunjira doubled the lead after finishing a sweeping move that began on the left flank.
The Manica Diamonds defence switched off again, leaving the forward unmarked inside the penalty area to calmly beat Chitsumba.
The goal ended the visitors’ resistance and deepened the misery of a side already battling relegation in the Premiership.
Bunjira appeared to have added a third late on, but the effort was ruled out after Chirinda was caught offside in the build-up.
Chiragwi praised his players for grinding out the victory despite the club’s growing injury list.
“The game plan was to make sure that we kept ourselves in the game as much as we could and waited for the right moments to attack,” he said.
“We could have scored two or three goals, but we only managed two.”
Chiragwi was particularly pleased with the contribution of his substitutes.
“I was very happy with Junior Bunjira and the way he executed his chance,” he said.
“He timed his run well and utilised the half-spaces effectively to create the scoring opportunity.
“The other substitutes also did very well. They helped us consolidate the win and gave us the energy we needed to finish the game strongly.”
Manica Diamonds coach Herbert Maruwa felt his team had paid for two defensive lapses.
“It is always tough to be knocked out of a cup competition,” said Maruwa.
“We prepared very well for this game, and I thought the players did well, especially in terms of ball rotation.
“In the second half, after making some substitutions, I felt we were the better side. But we lost concentration and conceded another soft goal.
“Despite the defeat, I am happy with the performance from the boys.”
Teams
CAPS United: Victor James, Talent Chamboko (Brett Amidu, 46th min), Nyasha Gurende, Bruce Kangwa, Lloyd Njaliwa, Alleny Mukombedzi (Obriel Chirinda, 69th min), Junior Kunashe Chando (Precious Phiri, 46th min), Davison Marowa (Junior Bunjira, 69th min), Takunda Benhura, Richard Hachiro, Ishmael Wadi (Uchizi Vunga, 69th min).
Manica Diamonds: Geoffrey Chitsumba, Lawrence Masibera, Carlos Mavhurume, Ask Rupande, Phillip Kaseke, Rus-sel Kahiki (Marlon Maziriri, 53rd min), Nigel Mpinduki, Darryl Zulu (Liberty Muzunzu, 53rd min), Charles Teguru (Fitzgerald Banda, 76th min), Tanaka Chikumba (Polyester Shoko, 60th min), Anelka Chivandire (Divine Zulu, 53rd min).
