Wasteful CAPS United held

deteriorating National Sports Stadium surface that was an eyesore.
CAPS United, who had won their last four matches, thought they were on course for another victory against a plucky opponent, who have been a big surprise this season, when Marvel Samaneka scored a minute after the restart.
Midfielder Rahman Kutsanzira sent a perfect cross from the right and Buffaloes goalkeeper Hopeful Bere failed to deal with it and Samaneka ghosted from the left to bury the chance.
But Makepekepe, who went on to waste a lot of chances, were taught a painful football lesson that it’s not over until the man in the middle sings when Lloyd Katongomara capitalised on Sengu’s mistake for the equaliser.
Sengu failed to clear the ball and his miscued effort fell into the opposition’s path to give the visitors the golden goal.
Buffaloes’ coach, Saul Chaminuka, was delighted with the point and said his boys’ fighting spirit earned them a big point on the road.
“We played according to plan and it worked well as they didn’t penetrate us. After we scored we kept on with the fighting spirit,” said Chaminuka.
CAPS United assistant coach, Joel Luphahla, said the players lost their focus.
“I think the attitude wasn’t right today. They thought at 1-0 the game was ours but it happens in football if you don’t take your chances.
“We are all disappointed but we will go back to the drawing board,” said Luphahla.
The match, which was played on a horrible pitch, which is a mockery to the National Sports Stadium’s status as the premier stadium in the country, began with the hosts in firm control and in the 21st minute Tendai Samanja’s long range effort was tipped over by the ‘keeper.
But with the Green Machine striker force continuing to be their Achilles Heels, an insurance goal proved elusive and, as long as it was 1-0, Buffaloes knew they had a chance.
It’s not clear why coach Sean Connor, who was on the bench after returning from a short holiday in Northern Ireland, did not introduce fresh blood as it was evident that the partnership of Washington Pakamisa and the disappointing Clive Kawinga was not going to yield anything.
Kawinga has become so ordinary and his performance yesterday justified those who have been questioning how this fellow ended up being called into the national team for the tie against Burundi.
Predictably, he didn’t last and was replaced by Charles Chiutsa while Evans Gwekwerere languished on the bench the entire match.
With CAPS United expected to complete the signing of Zimbabwe international forward, Shingi Kawondera on July 1, he could bring what the Green Machine badly lack right now – bite in attack.

Teams
CAPS United: E. Sibanda.D. Walaza. D. Sengu. N. Mukumbi, T. Kumbuyani, T. Munyanduri, T. Samanja, M. Samaneka, R. Kutsanzira, W. Pakamisa, C. Kawinga(C. Chiutsa 78th minute).
Buffaloes: H. Bere, P. Alfas, D. Chinowawa, J. Jambo, P. Matizanadzo(K. Juwakinyu 65th minute), T. Ndlovu, R. Mwenga, M. Wayerera, P. Alfas(S. Nkata 77th minute), N. Musvipa(P. Bamusi 65th minute), L. Katongomara, P. Thembani.