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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho 0-2 Caps United
A PLEDGE by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo to double Tsholotsho Football Club players’ winning bonuses could not inspire Iziqholo Zezhwane as they were beaten by Caps United in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Prof Moyo had pledged to double the players’ winning bonuses but the Lizwe Sweswe-coached side fell to a 44th minute Hardlife Zvirekwi wonder strike and veteran Leonard Tsipa’s simple goal, five minutes into the second half.
The new boys put up a spirited show in their goalless encounter with champions Dynamos last week but they were on the back foot from the word go as Caps United displayed a business like attitude.
Sweswe conceded that their opponents were far better than them.
“Caps United played better than us,” he said in his post match interview.
It took a whole 19 minutes for the home team to test the visitors’ goalkeeper, Chris Mverechera, when dreadlocked Oceanti Ncube shot from just outside the box.
Six minutes later, Ncube found himself face to face with Mverechera after riding a tackle in the box, but instead of going for the kill, he decided to pass and the chance was fluffed.
Makepekepe were forced to make an injury inspired substitution when coach Mark Harrison pulled out Bulawayo boy Chrispen Machisi for Godknows Mangani in the 42nd minute.
Two minutes after coming on, Mangani threaded a pass to Stephen Makatuka whose effort was needlessly tipped over the bar for a corner by goalkeeper Mariyoni.
From the resultant corner, Zvirekwi fired home a swerving thunderbolt giving Mariyoni no chance.
“It was a great goal. I was actually shouting at him not to shoot but he did,” said coach Harrison.
A minute after Zvirekwi’s wonder strike, Tsholotsho could have equalised through a Kriess Chitiyo snap shot from just outside the box and were it not for the acrobatics of the Makepekepe goalie who tipped it over for a corner it could have been a goal.
The visitors began the second half the more eager side and it was no surprise when they surged further ahead through Tsipa.
Tsipa collected a brilliant pass from Mangani in the centre circle and skilfully rounded the advancing Mariyoni before slotting into an empty net.
There was no major goalmouth action after that although Tsholotsho desperately pushed forward in search of a consolation.
“The boys played well but we just conceded very soft goals,” said their coach Sweswe after the match.
Teams:
Tsholotsho: C Mariyoni, M Phiri, N Moyo, W Stima, T Ncube, B Ncube, O Ncube (E Sibanda 61st min), S Gorogodjo, k Chitepo, N Gama (L Chikuhwa 57th min), K Machazane (Z Moyo 75th min)
Caps United: C Mverechera, H Zvirekwi, D Mukandi, C Munzabwa, S Makatuka, G Nyirenda, C Machisi (G Mangani 42nd min), T Mahori, K Nyamupfukudza, L Tsipa (L Fiyado 73rd min), M Muchenje
Online Reporter