Knock-kneed Caps United striker Clive Kawinga scored the solitary goal that separated his team and hosts Mamelodi Sundowns in the invitational four-team tournament at Peter Mokaba Stadium here yesterday.
In their second match of the day Caps dismissed Limpopo-based club Black Leopards 1-0 courtesy of a trademark free-kick by goalkeeper Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda in the 36th minute.
But it was their duel against Pretoria-based squad Sundowns that took centre stage even if they were playing behind closed doors.
The match looked like a derby with the South African side parading three former Caps players in the starting line-up of the match which kicked off at 10am.
The Brazilians had captain Method Mwanjali, strikers Simbarashe Sithole and Nyasha Mushekwi while veteran midfielder Esrom Nyandoro completed the Zimbabwean flavour in the Patrice Motsepe-owned side.
But that did not deter Caps from beating their fancied opponents after a Kawinga strike in the 12th minute.
The former Eagles forward pounced on a rebound to beat imposing Sundowns keeper Dennis Onyango after his initial glancing header from a corner-kick by Asani Nhongo had been blocked by the keeper.
Caps continued to dominate the match with delightful passes and were nearly rewarded four minutes before half-time when central midfielder Darryl Nyandoro had invaded the Sundowns goal area.
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After neat exchanges with Pride Tafirenyika on the edge of the box, the former TP Mazembe striker released a thunderbolt that hit the side netting. Sundowns had their chances in the first stanza; Sithole was guilty of failing to convert several chances from close range.
Sundowns came back a more purposeful team in the second half, but they just did not get the goal they wanted to cancel Kawinga’s strike.
Sundowns’ new signing Liberian Anthony Laffor was a handful for left-back Douglas Walaza on the right wing.
Laffor watched in disbelief in the 88th minute when his right footer was saved point blank by Sibanda in goal for Caps.
The Liberian had roasted Walaza leaving him a heap before his shot at goal.
In the second match Sibanda stunned the small crowd who watched the match when he beat his opposite number with a ferocious shot from the centre circle.
Results Mamelodi Sundowns 0 (SA) Caps United 1 (Zim); Black Leopards 1 (SA) Power Dynamos 1(Zam); Black Leopards 0 CAPS United 1. Playing late last night Mamelodi Sundowns v Power Dynamos
