Win thrills CAPS skipper

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani believes his side’s first win outside Harare this season could be a turning point in their campaign as they edged to within two points of the log leaders at the weekend. The Green Machine have been struggling on the road and, finally, they managed to strike the right chord with second half goals from Dominic Chungwa and Hardlife Zvirekwi.

Prior to their trip to the Lowveld, Makepekepe had lost all four matches they had played outside the capital.
They returned home empty-handed from FC Platinum, Highlanders, How Mine and Chapungu.

Khumbuyani yesterday said the win at Moses Chunga’s Chiredzi should act as a springboard for more success this season as they prepare to host Hwange this weekend.

“Everyone is happy about getting maximum points away from home for the first time. I think this will go a long way in lifting our confidence.
“We hope to collect maximum points both home and away going forward. It was always disappointing that we could not win away from home despite the efforts we were putting in.

“We sat down and discussed it. The problem was that we were conceding early in those away games and once we found ourselves behind we tended to drop our heads.

“So this time we told ourselves that we needed to concentrate more, especially at the back, to avoid letting in early goals.
“There was a very positive response from the players and after we managed to hold them goalless at half-time, we had so much confidence when we returned for the second half,” said Khumbuyani.

CAPS United maintained their sixth place with 20 points on the log but they managed to reduce the gap between them and the leading pack following slip-ups by Hwange, How Mine, ZPC Kariba and Highlanders.

Hwange managed to remain top of the table despite a 1-0 defeat to Joey Antipas’ Chicken Inn. Thomas Chimenya grabbed the solitary goal in the first half to condemn the hosts to their first defeat at home this year.

Second-placed How Mine also dropped crucial points at home when they played out a goalless draw with FC Platinum at Luveve on Sunday.
They are tied on 22 points with Hwange and Dynamos after 12 games.

Saul Chaminuka’s newboys ZPC Kariba are now the only side unbeaten in the race after forcing a stoppage time draw at Shabanie Mine but the former Buffaloes and CAPS United mentor should be worried by the stalemates.

For a team of their stature, and in such challenging circumstances, ZPC Kariba should reflect on their performance with pride despite chalking their eighth draw in 12 outings.

They have been on the road most of the time since their Nyamhunga home ground is not yet ready to host Premiership games.
However, the team currently occupies fifth position with 20 points in the bag, two behind the log leaders Hwange.

But Luke Masomere should be the most worried coach in the PSL at the moment after his Buffaloes side crashed to its fifth consecutive defeat away at Bantu Rovers.

Buffaloes started on a promising note but of late they have been haunted by financial challenges.
Masomere was not in Bulawayo when the team lost to Bantu at the weekend as he was ill and his assistant Timothy Masachi expressed the frustration in their camp.

“We were very poor defensively because all the goals we conceded could have been avoided. The other thing is that we didn’t create enough scoring opportunities.
“But now we have to find ways to turn things around. We have lost too many games,” he said.