‘Rooney’ Chitiyo lands

could not change its fortunes on a day the Premiership embraced a promising teenage talent.
His name is Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, a 19-year-old midfielder who had a brief spell at Douglas Warriors before exploding on the big stage in the Monomotapa colours on Sunday.

Until Sunday’s match, CAPS United players had traditionally locked their arms, while forming a circle near their bench before kick-off, but they now have something different.
On Sunday, CAPS United players formed three rows and knelt along the goal-line, facing the east, in prayer – just hours after another prayer session at East 24.
Dynamos players, whose coach Lloyd Mutasa is a member of an Apostolic sect, have also abandoned their traditional pre-match praying style and now stand in rows near the centre circle facing the east.

Poor CAPS United fell to yet another defeat as Monomotapa ran 3-0 winners, just 24 hours after Dynamos had been dumped out of the BancABC Sup8r semi-final by Motor Action.
At least there is still some hope for DeMbare, who can compete for the league title, while it is all gloomy for CAPS United who have failed to win in the last six matches.
CAPS United coach Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe did not know what hit them as the youthful Monomotapa outfit ripped the Green Machine apart for fun.

Makai Kawashu scored twice while Obsorne Mukuradare added the third goal but it was the unheralded Rooney, playing wide in midfield, who tormented CAPS United defence.
Plucked from Epworth by Clayton Munemo, Chitiyo was a revelation and left the stadium, with a few minutes remaining, to a standing ovation from the fans. No player, this season, has imposed himself on a Premiership game at Rufaro the way Rooney did on Sunday. Every touch was magical and, if he was not fooling the CAPS United defenders with his trickery, he was finding his teammates with weighted passes.
Had it not been for the heroic saves of goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda, CAPS United could have lost by half a dozen goals.

Rooney was twice denied by Sibanda, who was the outstanding player for CAPS United.
However, Rooney has warned his teammates not to get overexcited by the win against the Harare giants.
“I think we played well as a team,” said Rooney.

“We attacked as a team and defended as a team.
“CAPS United players were second to the ball on most occasions because we also marked well.”
During the game, the 19-year old former Douglas Warriors striker took the CAPS defence head on but failed to score. Rooney said he gained confidence to take on the CAPS central defence of Lucky

Simango and Tawanda Munyanduri with each passing minute of the game.
“We play a passing game as Monomotapa and I realised that the CAPS defenders were not closing in on us in anticipation that I was going to pass the ball.
“Instead, I went directly at them and forced them back,” he said.

Rooney, who completed his Ordinary Levels at Danhiko College in Msasa in 2009, said the win against CAPS United had also boosted their confidence.
“As Monomotapa, I think we started the season slowly and that’s why we got a lot of draws.
“But results are now coming and we will continue to play the passing game but we are gaining confidence although we should not get carried away,” said Chitiyo.

The player, who stays in Epworth after coming to the capital from Chinhoyi, hopes to break into the European leagues one day.
“Just like most players, I dream of playing in Europe one day and it’s possible if I continue working hard,” said Chitiyo.
He made 12 starts for Douglas Warriors last season before the team was relegated and collapsed and he has since found a place at Monoz.

“I hope that Monoz will be able to finish in the top four at the end of season and hopefully I should be scoring some goals,” said Chitiyo.
FC Platinum beat Hwange 2-0 through goals from Charles Sibanda and Thabani Kamusoko at Mandava on Sunday. The expensively assembled side are now five points ahead of defending league

champions Motor Action. The Mighty Bulls have a chance to reduce to the gap to within two points if they win their outstanding game against Kiglon tomorrow.
Dynamos, who lost the BancABC Sup8r semi-final to Motor Action, will also be in action when they take on Blue Ribbon. PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said the match will kick off at 4pm instead of 3pm after Blue Ribbon made a request

“The home team has made arrangements with the City of Harare and Zesa to have floodlights on for the second half of the match,” said Ndebele.