Sidumisile Mabena
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United 2-0 Hardrock
CAPS UNITED kept their perfect start alive and sent an early message to the rest of the league, grinding past big-spending Hardrock at Rufaro yesterday to make it four wins from four, but coach Takesure Chiragwi quickly cooled the noise around a potential title charge.
Makepekepe struck early and controlled the moments that mattered, Ishmael Wadi scoring inside two minutes before substitute Allen Mukombedzi sealed it shortly after the break, as the Harare giants showed steel despite a draining week on the road.
The victory, which also doubled as a birthday gift for chief executive Morton Dodzo, who turned 40, lifted CAPS United to 12 points at the summit going into the international break, and ended Kelvin Kaindu’s long unbeaten run stretching back to last season.
Yet Chiragwi refused to get carried away.
“After that game against Herentals, we had to go to Triangle. It was tough with the travelling and only two days to recover,” he said.
“But if we keep fighting like this, that is the character we need.”
CAPS United’s performance carried the signs of a team learning how to win under pressure. They looked heavy at times after the mid-week trip but remained sharp where it counted, striking early to settle nerves and finishing the job when Hardrock pushed for a response.
Wadi was at the centre of it all. His early goal set the tone and he remained a constant threat, especially in the second-half, where his direct running unsettled Hardrock’s defence. A fierce volley in the 73rd-minute forced a strong save from Tonderai Mateyaunga, and by the time the clock ticked past 75 minutes, the City End was already chanting his name.
Moments later, Mukombedzi rose to head home the second, effectively killing the contest.
Chiragwi praised the effort but quickly shifted focus to recovery and discipline during the break.
“As a coach you just congratulate the boys and make sure they get enough rest. That is the only way we recover,” he said.
“For today we thank the players for the effort, we thank the sponsors, the president and the supporters who keep coming in numbers.”
Even with momentum building, the CAPS United coach was clear about the bigger picture.
“There’s nothing to celebrate yet. We are just winning games and it’s our phase. We have to use it well, stay focused and keep collecting points.”
For Hardrock, the result was a first real setback under Kaindu, who had gone 20 matches without defeat across his previous stint and the start of this campaign.
The Zambian coach insisted the scoreline flattered CAPS United.
“We have to regroup. Sometimes losing early helps you correct things before it becomes a problem,” he said.
“I don’t think the result reflects the game. In terms of play, we were better. They punished our defensive mistakes and that made the difference.”
It was a result built on efficiency rather than dominance, CAPS United doing enough in both boxes while Hardrock were left to reflect on missed control and costly lapses.
Online Reporter
Chiragwi is correct. Collection of points during the early stages is quite flattering but very risky. Football world over has typical examples of teams that flew high in the initial stages and had their wings clipped as the season progressed. Just last season, MOWS was on a high at the beginning and lost steam as the season progressed. CAPS United has a disadvantage of having too many old players that will probably fizzle out in the later stages.