adminSTRIKER Makai Kawashu sunk a brace while Osborne Mukuradare weighed in with another goal as a youthful Monomotapa outfit dished out a free football lesson to struggling Harare giants CAPS United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Rufaro yesterday.
Jecha, as Kawashu is known to the Monoz fans, scored either side of the breather while Mukuradare sealed the fate for the wilting Green Machine in the 70th minute.
With more precision and composure, Monomotapa could have scored half a dozen goals against a side that is dreaming of finding fortune from former Monoz players and coaches in their ranks.
CAPS United goalkeeper and skipper Edmore Sibanda was also called to thwart numerous raids from the marauding Monoz players.
Yesterday’s defeat compounded pressure on coach Maxwell Jongwe Takaendesa, who is yet to get a win since taking over from Moses Chunga four league matches ago.
Takaendesa has presided over a draw against Gunners and a defeat against the same opponents who are now under Chunga, the man a militant section of the CAPS fans pushed out of the Makepekepe dressing room.
Pride Tafirenyika made CAPS United flatter to deceive when he worked his way into the box on the right before taking a shot on the run that hit the up-right in the eighth minute.
But it appeared as CAPS United were only flattering to deceive their restless fans as Monoz came on an raid with the outstanding Ronald Chitiyo beating Stephen Alimenda at the edge of the box.
Alimenda resorted to jersey tugging but that dirty tactic was not good enough to stop the slippery Chitiyo from charging into the box where he took a low shot, only for Sibanda to drop his big frame as he pushed the effort out for a corner kick in the 14th minute.
Chitiyo was not finished yet as he asked the CAPS United defence some questions but again it was Sibanda who pushed the attempt over the bar in the 18th minute.
Two minutes later, Mukuradare sent his header wide from the box after the CAPS United defence had left him unattended before Tapiwa Kumbuyani tried to breathe some life into CAPS United when he came on the right flank but could not beat Dominic Mukandi inside the box.
Former Monomotapa midfielder Asani Nhongo also tried to crank the Green Machine but found Mukandi unyielding as the defender pushed the ball out for a corner.
Sibanda had to keep Monoz at bay again in the 37th minute when he parried away a shot from roving full back Obey Mwerahari but the big goalkeeper could not stop Taurai Mangwiro’s youthful outfit three minutes later.
Monoz played a fine passing game as they knocked the ball around leaving the CAPS defenders standing in their tracks like the biblical pillars of salt before Kawashu finished off to slot home in the 40th minute.
Once again Chitiyo engineered the move when he carved his way past a hapless Alimenda on the right before dissecting towards the left as Monoz went to the break in control.
It only took 17 seconds after resumption for Kawashu to increase the lead as he beat Tawanda Munyanduri for pace to the ball on the right and took a rising shot that beat Sibanda who had come to off his line to try and narrow the angle.
Most of the players had hardly made contact with the ball after the restart and some fans had not taken their seats from the break when Kawashu completed his brace.
But former Douglas Warriors midfielder Chitiyo continued to mesmerise the CAPS United defence after he fooled Charles Chiutsa and sent the ball for Mukuradare who could not connect.
CAPS fans were now restless and when Mukuradare beat Lucky Simango on the right to bury the third goal, the fans reacted by waving goodbye to Takaendesa.
For all his contribution while as a Monomotapa defender, Simango was a total disaster for CAPS United in the heart of defence where he could have easily passed out for a Sumo wrestler than a footballer.
Munyanduri at times tried his best to cover for his partner in the heart of defence but the writing was always on the wall for Takaendesa and CAPS United.
CAPS introduced Tatenda Tsuro who exhibited some creativity in midfield but it was a little too late for the young player to make a change.
After the game, CAPS coach Takaendesa who was mocked by fans was at a loss of words.
“It was a disaster.
“This was a bad day for us,” said Takaendesa.
But it was joy for Mangwiro as Monomotapa’s investment in youth paid dividends.
“We are taking each game as it comes and we should not get carried away by the win. I am happy that we played as a team and we could have harvested more than six goals,” said Mangwiro.
TEAMS:
CAPS United: E. Sibanda, T. Kumbuyani, L. Simango, D. Walaza, A. Nhongo (T. Tsuro 70th min), S. Alindenda (C. Chiutsa 49th min), T. Munyanduri, W. Pakamisa (E, Gwekwerere 47th min), D. Rediyoni, T. Samanja, P. Tafirenyika
Monomotapa: T. Mafunga, B. Mapfumo, B. Chimwamuchere, R. Chitiyo (S. Kativhu 89th min) T. Ngulube, J. Mutambirwa, D. Mukandi, M. Kawashu, M. Mungombe, O. Mukuradare (M. Moyo 87th min), O. Mwerahari.
Results at glance
Yesterday
FC Platinum 2, Hwange 0; Chicken Inn 0, Masvingo 0; CAPS United 0, Monomotapa 3; Zimbabwe Saints 0, Highlanders 2; Black Mambas 0, Gunners 1; Shooting Stars 1, Shabanie Mine 1
Saturday
BancABC Semi-final
Dynamos 0, Motor Action 0 (Motor Action win 6-5 on after spot kicks)
Online Reporter