Three in a row for Manica Diamonds

Ray Bande in Mutare

Manica Diamonds . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1

CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0 

MANICA Diamonds coach Jairos Tapera believes his team has finally found its rhythm in the 2024 Castle Lager Premiership season after edging CAPS United 1-0 at Sakubva Stadium yesterday.

The victory over CAPS United is the third on the trot for the diamond miners and they moved up the ladder into sixth place with 10 points while Makepekepe are now 14th with seven points. 

Only a few weeks ago, Tapera was under pressure and seemingly facing the chop.

“I am happy with the result and how my players applied themselves in this match. We played very well and got the all-important goal, which we managed to defend until the last whistle. I am particular impressed with how we defended. 

“My defenders had a good outing and it is only in our attack where we lacked precision. We could have won by a wide margin. I think we have now struck the right chord in this campaign and we hope to build from this victory we move ahead in the season.”

The exciting encounter was a tightly contested affair with both teams creating scoring opportunities but only lacked the cutting edge in front of goal.

Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Godfrey Chitsumba summoned his reflexes to cut CAPS United winger Phineas Bhamusi’s cross that could have easily landed on Ralph Kawondera, who was lurking in the box in the 25th minute.

In the 42nd minute, Manica Diamonds almost got a goal from absolutely nothing after CAPS United shot stopper Ashley Rayners misdirected his goal kick and the ball fell on unmarked Tawanda Macheke’s feet but the Gem Boys top man’s rushed a weak shot, which went straight into the keeper’s hands.

CAPS United captain Godknows Murwira gifted the hosts the only goal of the match when his poor back pass beat his own goalkeeper allowing second half substitute Micheal Tapera to pass the ball into an empty net.

Manica Diamonds could have doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when slippery Charles Teguru dribbled past the ageing Devon Chafa and set up Fortune Binzi, whose blistering shot missed the target by a few inches.

Binzi missed yet another chance with less than five minutes to regulation time when he was once again set up by the industrious Teguru. 

The 2023 Soccer Stars of the Year finalist, without any semblance of football artistry, blasted the ball into Rayners’ hands.

CAPS United advisor and assistant coach Neson Matongorere, who was standing in for coach Lloyd Chitembwe, felt the two teams gave their all is search of maximum points.

“This was an exciting match of football. Both teams played well and showed the zeal to get maximum points. We both created scoring opportunities and in some moments CAPS United actually dominated play but somehow we could not get a goal. 

“We will go back and make amends in areas that we did not perform well as well as build on the positives we noted from this encounter,” said Matongorere.

Chiredzi-based Jimmy Makwanda was a good ambassador for the refereeing fraternity with a blameless top notch performance that earned the admiration of neutrals.

 Manica Diamonds: Godfrey Chitsumba; Lawrence Masibera; Farai Banda; Tawanda Chisi; Enock Karembo (Liberty Chakoroma, 82nd minute); Jabulani Thubelihle; Takunda Jefrey; Amidu Bret (Kudzanai Dhemere, 40 minutes); Gerald Bero (Micheal Tapera, 47 minutes); Tawanda Macheke (Charles Teguru, 47 minutes); Fortune Binzi:

 CAPS United: Ashley Rayners; Hastings Chapusha; Eric Manokore; Bruce Kangwa; Godknows Murwira; Devon Chafa; Ralph Kawondera (Mureremba Kingsley, 80th minute); Phineas Bhamusi (William Manondo, 80th minute); Wayne Makuva (Junior Bunjira, 62 minutes); Rodwell Chinyengetere; Lot Chiwunga: