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CAPS United 2-1 Triangle
CAPS United coach Taurayi Mangwiro believes the National Sports Stadium has proved a good hunting ground for his team and yesterday said the Green Machine are considering a permanent switch to the giant stadium following a hard fought win over Triangle. The Green Machine, who had not won at home in their two games at Gwanzura this year, meant business as they quickly got off the blocks with a sixth minute lead when skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani headed into the nets from a perfect cross by Gerald Phiri.
The visitors levelled the terms just before the breather when former Blue Ribbon and Dynamos striker Tinei Chitora also headed past goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube.
However, CAPS United who have been lacking consistency early in the season were determined to bag maximum points yesterday as they surged ahead again in the 76th minute courtesy of a classic goal from a freekick taken by Ronald Pfumbidzai on the right.
Pfumbidzai gave the Green Machine their second win in five games when his curling shot from the set-piece deceived goalkeeper Ronald Mudimu, to leave their coach Mangwiro satisfied they could be in line for bigger things if they decide to move permanently to the giant stadium, which interestingly yielded better returns last season.
The team had dumped the giant facility for Gwanzura but yesterday they were forced to return there to allow the Workers Day celebrations to be held at the Highfield venue.
Asked if the move had helped the team get a positive result following a sluggish start of two draws, a loss and one win in their opening matches, Mangwiro agreed.
“Yes it did. I would want to think it did. It’s just that we came up against a team that has almost a similar type of play to ours but against some other teams I am sure we will be able to impose our game just like what we did on them in the second half.
“We had dropped points at Gwanzura and we have switched to the National Sports Stadium and we got maximum points. If you are to look at our performance here last year I thought we had turned it into a fortress. Let’s hope the good times will start rolling at the green side of the capital.
“We have advocated for a return to the NSS because you have to consider even what was happening here last year. The only team that we managed to beat at Gwanzura was Black Mambas but then we lost to Shabanie, we lost to Buffaloes and this year we couldn’t maximise on home advantage. Just a switch and we get maximum points, so we would switch for the NSS,” said Mangwiro.
If the team switches back to the giant stadium they would have to share with rivals Dynamos who this season are also using the National Sports Stadium.
CAPS United, who had lost 2-1 to FC Platinum in their last game, appeared to have lost the plot yesterday after allowing Triangle to come back into the match when Chitora equalised on the 44th minute.
The visitors had pressed hard for the point but they lost their defender Chastern Ngondonga who was stretchered off the pitch following a nasty clash with a CAPS United player on the hour mark.
But Makepekepe were not yielding as they defended well with David Chipala and Stephen Makatuka at the centreback while fullbacks Khumbuyani and Pfumbidzai made the most of the wings.
Mangwiro was impressed by the way his side soaked the pressure and then taking the game back to the visitors much to the delight of the small band of the Green Machine faithful who fervently rallied behind their team in song and dance especially with the news filtering through that their rivals Dynamos were down at Ascot.
“I would want to think it was a game of two halves. They controlled the first half in which we did well in that we had gotten off to a flyer with that headed goal but then thereafter we allowed them too much space to play in the midfield. We couldn’t carry on with the lead as we conceded just before half time.
“The good thing is that we re-organised and took control in the second half. With a little bit of luck it could have been three or four for us,” he said.
The match also saw the Malawian striker Ishmael Thindwa making his debut before he was replaced towards the end by Zambian Madaliso Mwanza.
“Thindwa was not bad at all. Of course expectations were high on him because a lot has been said about him. But he gave a decent performance and I am happy for him and I would like to believe he will improve with more game time.”
Triangle coach Biggy Zuze was saddened by the defeat, which was their third loss in five outings. Zuze said the team played well but were let down by their own defensive blunders on both occasions when they conceded. “We didn’t play as much as we wanted. We relaxed a bit but I think we did very well and created chances especially in the first half where we could have gone with one or two goals.
“We have to work hard again focusing on the need to keep possession. I always tell the guys not to lose possession especially in our defending half. We matched CAPS United man for man but that’s the name of the game. Congratulations to CAPS United,” said Zuze.
Teams
CAPS United: T. Dube, T. Kumbuyani, D. Chipala, S. Makatuka, R. Pfumbidzai, T. Samanja, H. Zvirekwi (T. Mukanhairi 58th minute), G. Phiri (D. Mukandi 46th minute), M. Muchenje, I. Thindwa (M. Mwanza 88th minute), D. Chungwa.
Triangle: R. Mudimu, P. Tonha, R. Maketo, C. Ngondonga (W. Mapfumo 59th minute), J. Tigere, B. Juwayeyi (C. Denias 70th minute), T. Chipunza, P. Manhanga, F. Kuswatuka, T. Chitora, W. Gondo
Online Reporter