Pfumbidzai inspires CAPS

Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Caps United ……………………………………(2) 2
Black Rhinos ……………………………………… 0
YOUNG Warriors captain and Caps United left back Ronald Pfumbidzai inspired the Green Machine to within two points of log leaders How Mine as he celebrated his call up to the senior national side with a brace against Black Rhinos at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday.

Pfumbidzai sent Black Rhinos goalkeeper Hebert Rusawo the wrong way with a well taken spot kick after James Mukombwe was adjudged to have handled an Ishmael Thindwa goal-bound strike before planting in a powerful header off a Moses Muchenje corner to guarantee United a return to winning ways.

Coach Taurai Mangwiro benched regular starter Tafadzwa Dube as he responded to last week’s 4-0 drubbing away to high riding Highlanders last weekend.

The soldiers offered very little resistance as they succumbed to their fifth loss in seven outings leaving coach Arthur Tutani a very worried man.

“Pressure is obviously now mounting on us because we have lost a number of games. The result is disappointing but I thought we gave it our best though at times we were not pressing as much as we would have loved,” said Tutani.

While Pfumbidzai’s goals made the difference, it is, however, the composure and sure footedness of Thindwa at the apex of the attack that clearly needs a more alert and tear away partner than it currently finds in the wasteful Dominic Chungwa.

Chungwa, who had a steady supply from his strike partner, was guilty of missing several chances in front of goal with his best of the afternoon coming ten minutes before the breather via a Pervington Zimunya counter which had Thindwa loose wide on the right before setting up Chungwa whose tame effort was pushed out for a corner.

Caps could have increased their lead nine minutes after the breather with Pfumbidzai and Muchenje combining well wide on the left but the former’s inviting cross flashed across the face of goal as the strikers arrived late to direct it home.

Rhinos had a chance to reduce the arrears five minutes after the hour mark but second half substitute Brian Muzondiwa was too casual on the edge of the box allowing Tendai Samanja to recover for the hosts who had been caught off guard.

In the process Samanja gave away a free kick on the edge of the box but the visitors crushed it against the wall to cap a disappointing day in office for the Kadoma based outfit.

Mangwiro was happy with his charges’ reaction from last week’s loss and especially Pfumbidzai who he said is now getting into grove having started slowly.

“What we wanted today was just to grind a win at all cost and I am happy we did that.
“I am also happy with Ronald’s game because he started the season on the back foot having been linked with a move away from Caps but he has now managed to shrug off all that talk and is enjoying his game,” said Mangwiro.