Andrew
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
Herentals……………………………………. (0) 2
CAPS United…………………………………. (2) 3
ON-FIRE striker William Manondo continued his purple patch as he fired a brace to help resurgent CAPS United edge battling Herentals in a thrilling Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Manondo’s double helped him take his tally to eight and justifies why coach Lloyd Chitembwe lured him from Harare City.
After a nail-biting opening 10 minutes in which both sides created two very good goal-scoring opportunities, the in-form Makepekepe striker broke the deadlock on the half hour.
CAPS United looked to be in cruise control as they extended their lead via Rodwell Chinyengetere a minute before the break.
Manondo was not yet done and netted the winner two minutes from time.
But that was not before Herentals ensured the paltry crowd at the National Sports Stadium witnessed their battling qualities.
The Students replied soon after the break with their goals coming from second-half substitute Tafadzwa Jim and newboy John Zhuwawo in the 55th and 57th minute respectively.
While CAPS United dominated the opening stanza, it was Herentals who seized the initiative in the second.
CAPS United are now unbeaten in their last four outings since they received a rude awakening following a 6-2 drubbing by Manica Diamonds at Sakubva last month.
Despite the win, CAPS United gaffer Lloyd Chitembwe conceded his side had not been at their fluid best.
“It was a game of two halves and we did enough to win the game.
“We controlled and dominated proceedings in the first half but I am extremely disappointed with the way we conceded those two goals.
“I think we could have done far much better to manage those two situations,” said Chitembwe.
Herentals coach Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva believes the outcome boiled down to team’s inexperienced goalkeeper Kudakwashe Mukuura.
“It was a big game for us.
“We started slowly, conceding two goals in the first half but our second half was powerful. We managed to score two quick goals.
“Unfortunately, the mistake made by our goalkeeper in the dying minutes of the game cost us and I attribute the mistake to his inexperience, but, overall, I was impressed by the team’s performance,” said Mutiwekuziva.
As action swung from one end to the other early on, Herentals forward Davison Marowa failed to convert two clear-cut chances that came his way in the second minute and fifth minutes respectively.
It was the same for Chinyengetere, who saw his third-minute header missing the target by a few inches before being denied a goal by the woodwork in the 10th minute when he unleashed a powerful free-kick.
Manondo found the CAPS United breakthrough after 30 minutes when he headed home a Chinyengetere cut-back.
Two-time Soccer Star of the Year Chinyengetere then increased Makepekepe’s lead shortly before the two sides went for the breather, unleashing a powerful strike that gave Mukuura no chance.
Mutiwekuziva was to make a tactical substitution at the start of the second half, introducing the energetic pair of Tinotenda Benza and Jim for Innocent Benza and Edgar Mhungu.
Mhungu and the junior Benza brought some life into the Herentals attack, forcing CAPS United onto the back foot.
The Students probing was rewarded in the 55th minute when Jim capitalised on a defensive blunder by the CAPS United rear-guard to fire home from close range.
Zhuwawo was to haunt his former paymasters two minutes later when he headed home a Peter Chota cross to bring Herentals level.
The game then seemed headed for a share of the spoils.
Mukuura, however, miscued his clearance, with the ball falling straight at Manondo, who did well to control the ball before scoring from an acute angle.
In Mutare, Black Rhinos got the better of Bulawayo Chiefs, winning 2-1.
Ageless striker Tawanda Nyamandwe found the winner for the Harare side.
Yet it was Chiefs who took the lead when Billy Veremu struck after 34 minutes.
Farai Banda then equalised for the soldiers, tucking home from the penalty spot a minute into the second half.
Nyamandwe ensured maximum points for Rhinos 11 minutes from time.
Online Reporter