Online Reporter
Bruce Chikuni
Sports Reporter
CAPS United winger, Tendai Matindife, scored his first goal, in what was his first start for the Green Machine, and feels it could be the start of a golden period for him at the club.
He converted from the spot when CAPS United floored Kwekwe 2-0 at Rufaro on Sunday.
It was a pressure penalty after Eric Manokore missed from the spot in the 1-2 defeat to MWOS at Ngoni last week.
Matindife stepped up to take the responsibility and showed nerves of steel to fire the ball home from 12 yards and give CAPS United the lead.
The young forward has flourished on the wings since the arrival of coach Ian Bakala with the Zambian convinced that Matindife could be one of the players who can spark life into the Green Machine.
Bakala started by using him as an impact player and on Sunday the coach felt Matindife was now good enough to start the match.
CAPS United will host Green Fuel at Rufaro on Sunday.
The reverse fixture in Chisumbanje ended in a 1-1 draw.
“I feel so happy about it (the goal) because I have been waiting for such a moment and I hope there are more goals to come,” said Matindife.
“I think it is the beginning of something great and I believe it has unlocked something big for me this season.
“I just had a strong mentality and said to myself that I was going to score but on the other hand I was under pressure because of what happened last weekend when we lost to MWOS.
“I just had to make sure.”
Interestingly Rodwell Dhlakama, who has returned to GreenFuel as the head coach, will mark his return to PSL football against CAPS United − the very team he faced in his last match.
The Green Machine crushed GreenFuel 3-0 at Rufaro last season in what was the coach’s last game as he was fired soon after that loss.
Dhlakama also played a key role in nurturing Matindife’s career during their time at Ngezi Platinum.
“I just have to do what needs to be done if I get the chance to play and that’s winning games.
“I would like our fans to keep on pushing and supporting us and I know more goals will definitely come,” he said.
