Quelaton, Caps United draw

The struggling Bulawayo side had their goalkeeper Winston Chiwetu to thank as he denied the former champions numerous scoring opportunities.

Caps United could have taken the lead in the 22nd minute after Leonard Fiyado was brought down in the box and referee Munyaradzi Majoni duly awarded a penalty kick. Rahman Kutsanzira’s effort was saved for a corner by impressive Chiwetu.

Three minutes later, Simba Manwere deservedly put Quelaton ahead after getting to the end of a Marshal Machazane cross from the right.

The lead only lasted two minutes as former Highlanders and University of Pretoria striker Nqobile Mpala equalised by tapping home a hard and low square ball from Kutsanzira who had dribbled past three Quelaton players.

Farai Sibanda, Quelaton’s gaffer, was happy with his team’s result.

“I am happy with the result and now focus turns to our next game. We are going to continue fighting until we go down. We will fight until the last game of the season.

“I am also happy with the players’ performance but we failed to click in the second half like we did in the opening 45 minutes where we played the ball around and our play was flowing,” said Sibanda.

Quelaton’s players were on top of the game and in the fifth minute Manwere should have put his side ahead but failed to connect a perfect cross from Mhleli Sibanda.

They showed no respect for Caps United but failed to make the most out of the few scoring chances which they created.
Caps United woke up from their slumber in the 22nd minute when Fiyado raced for a long pass and was brought down in the box as he was going for the kill.

Kutsanzira was casual in his approach to the penalty and Chiwetu made a save which kept Quelaton in the game.

In the 25th minute, Quelaton’s Eddy Nkulungo was brought down just outside the left side of Caps United’s box and up stepped Machazane who sent in a good cross which eluded the Green Machine’s defence and the ball fell on Manwere’s feet who directed it into the nets.

The visitors were not deterred as they regrouped and Kutsanzira made up for the earlier miss by setting Mpala who drew level in the 27th minute.

Both teams returned from the break with Caps United creating better chances than the home team but found Chiwetu a hard nut to crack.

In the 77th minute he denied Charles Chiutsa from close range and in the 85th minute Chiwetu kept Quelaton in the game with a fine save off a Fiyado shot from close range.

“We want to look at this game as two points dropped rather than a point gained. We knew the game was not going to be easy and I must say our performance today was not up to scratch.

“We are not safe from relegation and what I have been telling our guys is that we have to do our own job because the opportunity for us to gain ground is there,” said Taurai Mangwiro, Caps United’s coach.

Teams
Quelaton: W Chiwetu, W Chiramba, Z Sibanda, E Nkulungo (T Mugumanya, 87th minute), I Kutsanzira, G Mleya, M Sibanda (Z Dambo, 71st minute), M Machazane, T January, S Manwere, P Tshuma.
Caps United: Itayi Chiwara, L Fiyado, T Kumbuyani, R Kutsanzira (D Rediyoni, 61st minute), N Mpala (S Kawondera, 71st minute), T Munyanduri, A Nhongo, P Tafirenyika, B Zabula, H Zvirekwi.