Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United………………………..…………(1)2
Agama……………………………..……….(0)1
TEENAGE sensation, Alleny Mukombedzi, scored the priceless winner which gave Takesure Chiragwi a winning start at CAPS United in this Castle Lager Premiership match at Rufaro yesterday.
It also means the 17-year-old will pocket a cool US$500 winning bonus this week.
While Mukombedzi was the match winner, the star of the show was veteran forward forward Ishmael Wadi who scored one and assisted the other as the hosts edged battling newcomers Agama.
The Green Machine were erratic at times and that was expected of any team in the opening weekend of the marathon and the condition of the wet pitch at Rufaro didn’t help matters either.
Still CAPS United knew they had to do the work under whatever circumstances.
And they did just that.
Agama’s equaliser came from Ralph Nyamupurika.
“I think we played well because we didn’t know much about them,” said Chiragwi.
“It was also difficult to plan because we didn’t know how they were going to play.
“We didn’t know anything but, as we progressed with the game, we also started to understand how they played, their strength and everything.
“Then, in the second half, we tried to make sure that we can also utilise our strength and also try to diffuse their strength.
“But it’s a very good quality team with players who are very intelligent. I think they’ve got two youngsters who are very good in terms of transition.”
He added:
“You know it’s very difficult, in terms of match fitness, on the opening day but they coped up and they did well.
“The goal that we conceded wasn’t necessary, but that’s how it is. If you make a mistake, you concede.
“But the good thing, was the resilience from the guys, how we kept possession, that was marvellous. That’s the reason why we got another goal. It was very good in terms of how we rotated the ball using the midfield until we got another opportunity to score.
“But we should have scored maybe three, four goals. Also, the goalkeeper (Wallace Magalane) was good today.”
Agama started the match on the front foot but they couldn’t breach the CAPS United three-man defence.
It was at the other end though that action was intense with Malawian Chawanangwa Kaonga, Junior Bunjira, Wadi and Obriel Chirinda tapping around the ball with a lot of purpose.
Just 12 minutes into the tie, Wadi nodded home to finish a good move started deep in midfield by Tanaka Shandirwa, perfected by Brett Amidu, with the ball then being crossed by Bunjira before being headed on by Chirinda.
Just as the second half started, Agama were rewarded when Nyamupurika chipped over a drawn out Magalane.
CAPS United sensed danger and Chiragwi quickly responded by throwing in Lloyd Njaliwa from Malawi, Tinotenda Meke and Takunda Benhura.
That added more impetus to their offensive play and by the time Mukombedzi entered the fray, CAPS United had seen two of their efforts cleared off the line.
With the game teetering towards a deadlock, Mukombedzi received a clean pass from the left after Wadi had roasted a thicket of Agama defenders.
The 17-year-old controlled the ball well and picked his spot to give Makepekepe all the points.
Teams
CAPS United
Wallace Magalane, Chinga Chitoshi, Nyasha Gurende, Kudzai Chigwida, Tanaka Shandirwa (Alleny Mukombedzi 75th min), Richard Hachiro, Brett Amidu (Lloyd Njaliwa 55th min), Chawanangwa Kaonga (Kunashe Chando 90min), Junior Bunjira (Tinotenda Meke 55th min), Ishmael Wadi, Obriel Chirinda (Takunda Benhura 55th min)
Agama
Mathias Jalazio, Hillary Kahanda, Emmanuel Chambara (Takudzwa Chimhowa 83rd min) Christopher Petros, Benard Chipanera (Langton Chavinda 73rd min), Takudzwa Chimhowa, Yusuph Khamis (Cain Mashonganyika 83rd min), Tinashe Balakasi (Richard Kumi 46th min), Erick Matiaba (Grey Kufandada 73rd min), Ralph Nyamupurika, Ackson Laban
