CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . . (2) 2
BULAWAYO CHIEFS . . . . . (2) 2
CAPS United and Bulawayo Chiefs played out a four-goal thriller in a league match at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Yesterday's roller-coaster started with Chief’s Lucky Ndlela breaking the deadlock from a long range free kick which somehow eluded goalkeeper Ashley Reyners eight minutes into the game.
Kingsley Mureremba levelled matters in the 16th minute with a grounder before the midfielder provided an assist for Phineas Bhamusi to put Caps United 2-1 up after 37 minutes.
But a mistake by Reyners gifted Tadiwa Muchenje an equaliser four minutes later.
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The draw saw Caps United moving to sixth on the log standings with 42 points, while Bulawayo Chiefs moved three points above the relegation zone with 32 points.
Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was not amused with the result.
"We gave the points away today. With the way the team performed especially in the first half, we were in control. We had more chances in the first half, better control of the ball and we dominated, but I'm surprised why we dropped in the second half. Our quality dropped, we were misplacing passes and our movement was not as good as in the first half. I am extremely disappointed with the result."
Bulawayo Chiefs coach Thulani Sibanda said he was happy to collect a point away from home.
"We showed character today. My boys played well. Caps United is a mature team compared to our boys and for them to come and express themselves like that shows a good character. A draw is good for us considering that we are at Rufaro against Caps."
Relegation-threatened Bulawayo Chiefs surged ahead early on through a sublime free kick from Ndlela who beat Reyners from some way out, with the ball going in via the upright post.
Caps United immediately looked to respond from a free kick of their own which was taken by Godknows Murwira who could not beat goalkeeper Prosper Matutu.
There was nothing Matutu could do to deny the Green Machine when they came back knocking.
A ball into the box was well controlled by Junior Bunjira who brilliantly laid it to the onrushing Mureremba to fire home.
The two teams continued to create chances and Chiefs twice came close.
Reason Sibanda forced a good save from Reyners before Muchenje rattled the upright from inside the box.
The ball rebounded back to him and he picked Sibanda who inexplicably headed wide from a few metres out.
They were made to pay for the two misses when Bamusi put Caps United ahead after connecting a cross from Mureremba on the backpost to rifle into the roof of the net.
But Chiefs refused to lie down and were back on level terms five minutes later.
Muchenje intercepted Reyners' poor clearance to run clear on goal before squeezing the ball between the legs of the goalkeeper into the nets.
Four goals were scored in a frenetic first half but it could have been more with Caps United's Jayden Bakari missing two good opportunities including a sitter.
Bulawayo Chiefs controlled the second stanza with some enterprising attacking play but appeared to run out of ideas every time they got into the final third.
Caps United almost stole maximum points at the death when substitute Emmanuel Mbollo was allowed some space inside the box, but his shot on the near post was well saved by Matutu.
Teams
Caps United: A Reyners, E Manokore, I Zambezi (L Chiwunga, 75'), B Kadamanja, B Kangwa, G Murwira, K Mureremba, P Bamusi, J Bunjira, J Bakari (E Mbollo, 75'), R Chinyengetere.
Bulawayo Chiefs: P Matutu, C Musikavanhu, L Ndlovu (N Ncube, 62') B Matebeki, E Chikwende, L Ndlela, P Shoko (B Addotey, 62'), J Nyabinde, T Muchenje (A Svinurai, 80'), R Kwaramba, R Sibanda.