Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze, Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United 3-2 Simba Bhora
TINOTENDA Meke struck in the 90th minute to carry CAPS United into the Chibuku Super Cup quarter-finals after Simba Bhora had twice fought back to draw level yesterday.
Dominic Njaliwa and Talent Chamboko put the Green Machine ahead, but Petrus Simaneka responded on both occasions before substitute Meke settled the contest with a low strike from distance.
The victory kept alive CAPS United’s hopes of winning the Chibuku Super Cup for the first time and gave their supporters reason to believe in the Cup Kings again.
The first half produced few clear chances as neither side found a way through two disciplined defences.
The best opening came in the 27th minute when Allen Mukombedzi’s cut-back from the left found Chamboko, whose effort was blocked by William Thole.
Simba Bhora returned from the break with more purpose.
Harrison Masina tested Victor James with a powerful shot in the 47th minute before beating Chamboko and Kudzai Chigwida inside the box two minutes later, only to shoot straight at the goalkeeper when one-on-one.
CAPS coach Takesure Chiragwi responded by introducing Ishmael Wadi and Tanaka Shandirwa.
The changes paid off in the 53rd minute when Shandirwa’s delivery found Njaliwa, who powered a header beyond Thole.
The lead lasted only six minutes.
Masina crossed for Simaneka, who headed past James to bring the Shamva side level.
CAPS went back in front after Wadi’s cross found Uchizi Vunga inside the box. The Malawian international held off his markers and forced Thole to tip his effort over the bar.
Chawananga Kaonga’s resulting corner found Chamboko, who turned the ball home to restore the hosts’ lead.
Wadi then missed a chance to give CAPS some breathing space after Precious Phiri picked him out with a long pass. The Warriors forward broke clear but sent his effort over the bar.
That miss looked costly when substitute Blessed Ndereki split the CAPS defence with a pass for Simaneka to score his second in the 80th minute.
But Meke had the final say, beating Thole with a low strike from distance in the 90th minute to send the Green Machine into the last eight.
Chiragwi said a candid half-time discussion and the early substitutions had changed the match, although he was unhappy that CAPS twice allowed Simba Bhora back into the contest.
“We had a candid conversation at half-time, so in the second half we made early changes to give us creativity,” he said.
“However, we failed to manage the game and they came from behind twice. I am happy that we eventually got the winning goal, but generally we have a lot of homework.”
Simba Bhora coach Mandla Mpofu blamed poor defending and questioned the contribution of players recruited during the off-season.
“We did massive recruitment during the off-season and unfortunately the players have not lived up to our expectations,” he said.
“I believe we conceded soft goals. We should have done better.
“Now we are out of all the cup competitions and the right thing for us to do is focus on finishing the league in a respectable position.”
