Caps United. . . . . . . . . . . (2) 4 Masvingo United . . . . . . .(1) 1
Simba Sithole fired his second hat-trick of the season as Caps United confirmed their return to ruthless form by hammering a hapless Masvingo United in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium on Wednesday.
The sharp-shooting Sithole’s three-goal salvo took his tally to ten goals so far this season. Goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda converted from the spot-kick in the 26th minute to open the scoring for the Green Machine.
Sithole and Sibanda were also denied by the post later in the game while Washington Pakamisa and Evans Gwekwerere’s efforts were cleared off the line as the rampant Caps United threatened to tear Masvingo United to shreds.
The usually reliable Pride Tafirenyika also fired wide from one-on-one situation with three minutes remaining on the clock.
The visiting side’s consolation came in the 30th minute when Isaac Chapura powered past Sibanda from close range.
A modest Moses Chunga said he was not “impressed” with his side’s performance despite harvesting four goals.
“We missed a lot of chances which could have made our life much more easier, the execution was poor,” said Chunga.
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“I am not impressed with the scoreline, I’m used to five,” added Chunga drawing loud laughter from the journalists who were interviewing him.
The win took the Green Machine back into the top four, with 20 points and they trail the log leaders by five points. FC Platinum, who beat Highlanders, occupy second position while Chicken Inn who were victorious over Kiglon in another Premier League match played yesterday remained in position three. Chicken Inn beat Kiglon 3-1 at Luveve on Wednesday.
“It’s a marathon and I’m very happy we’re keeping up with the pace. So far so good I am happy with the achievements we have made, it is good to mantain the objectives we set before the season started,” added Chunga.
Masvingo United have not won a game away from home this season, but they are on sixth position on the log, owing to good home form which has seen them winning six matches.
If ever there was a fixture for the Green Machine to regain their confidence back after some topsy-turvy form — which saw them dropping points against Highlanders and Hwange before hammering Kiglon 5-1 last week — bad travellers Masvingo United were always going to be easy victims.
Caps United started the match on the offensive and could have opened the scoring in the eighth minute but Charles Chiutsa’s right-foot shot from just outside the box was tipped over by goalkeeper Francis Tizayi.
The Green Machine continued to create more chances, but the defining moment came in the 26th minute when referee Ronald Mwanjira adjudged that defender Saprine Muchabaya had obstructed Pakamisa in the box and pointed to the spot.
