Win at last for Caps

By Henry Mhara | Aug. 5, 2024

The Zvishavane-based team missed the chance to return to the top of the log standings, as William Manondo's 37th minute strike gave the hosts a much-needed victory to move them six points clear of the relegation zone.

CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . (1) 1

FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . 0

FC Platinum’s Castle Lager Premier League title hopes suffered a huge blow after they were beaten by Caps United at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

It was Manondo's 10th goal of the season to move a goal clear of Khama Billiat and Tymon Machope in the race for the Golden Boot award.

A second defeat in three games has put a dent in FC Platinum’s title charge as they are now on second position with 42 points, one behind new log leaders Simba Bhora who beat Billiat's Yadah at Wadzanai Stadium on Saturday.

Caps United, who were winless in their last six matches, moved to ninth position with 27 points from 22 matches. There are 12 rounds of matches still to play.

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was happy with how his team executed the game plan, where they utilised speedy wingers Phineas Bhamusi and Junior Bunjira to great effect.

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"We realised that they were compact in midfield so the only space that we could use was in the wide areas and I'm happy with Junior as well as Phineas. They were very explosive today," Chitembwe said, also heaping praise on Manondo.

“I am extremely happy for him. He is a natural goalscorer. He worked so hard to get where he is today and the sky is the limit for him. I just hope he continues to work exactly the same way that his is doing now.”

Chitembwe handed the club's mid-season new acquisition Manuel Mbollo from Cameroon his debut, but it was the old faces of Manondo and Bunjira who made the early impressions in the match.

The two combined to produce the first real chance of the match in the 5th minute when Bunjira's trademark cross found Manondo who fired over the bar with the goal gaping.

FC Platinum were ragged at times in the opening minutes although they did create some chances of their own.

Davison Marowa's inviting cross in the 23rd minute flew across the face of goal, with the visitors strikers off positioned to put the needed touch.

The breakthrough arrived from another good combination between Manondo and Bunjira.

The 20-year-old winger showed a lot of enterprising ingenuity to beat his marker on the right channel before setting Manondo with a glorious cross which the striker simply guided home.

FC Platinum sought a response immediately as Devine Mhindirira's ferocious shot was tipped over by Mateyaunga.

Bunjira had the chance to double Caps United’s lead at the death of the first half, but he horribly miscued his effort.

Half-time substitute Wilfred Muvirimi almost made an immediate impact after he was put through in the 49th minute. The former Harare City man dinked the ball over Mateyaunga, but Eric Manokore cleared the effort off the line.

Muvirimi thought he had found the equaliser when he guided a cross from the right into the net on 57th minute, but his celebrations were cut shot by a raised offside flag.

The Norman Mapeza-coached side dominated proceedings in the second half, but the equaliser continued to elude them.

Caps United's threat on the counter attack remained.

The Green Machine almost increased their lead at the start of the 12 minutes added on time, but Lot Chiwunga's shot was blocked instinctively by FC Platinum’s goalkeeper Wallace Magalane.

The home side managed to hold on in the remainder of the injury time, leaving the Caps United and Simba Bhora fans rejoicing.

Teams

Caps United: T Mateyaunga (A Reyners, 75'), I Zambezi, B Kangwa, G Murwira, E Manokore, P Bamusi, R Chinyengetere, K Mureremba, Jnr Bunjira, W Manondo (C Sithole, 98'), M Mbollo (L Chiwunga, 58').

FC Platinum: W Magalane, B Nzori, M Ngwenya, R Pavari, H Magaya (B Kusinyera, 86'), D Mhindirira, B Banda, A Chirinda (J Mutudza, 46'), D Marowa (O Bhebhe, 90'), J Selemani, T Ngwenya (W Muvirimi, 46')