Caps United . . . . . . . (0) 2 Blue Rangers . . . . . . . . . .0 Caps United’s recent upturn of form continued as they beat a struggling Blue Rangers at the National Sports Stadium yesterday to record their third straight win in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.
Report by Henry Mhara Sports Reporter It becomes four straight wins for the Green Machine if their victory over Motor Action in the Mbada Diamonds Cup first round is factored in.
Goals from the impressive Hardlife Zvirekwi in the 81st minute and substitute Shingi Kawondera four minutes later sealed victory for the Taurai Mangwiro-coached side who moved up one place above Harare City with 29 points.
Blue Rangers, who were denied what appeared a genuine goal when match day referee Luke Kunatsa ruled out David Temwanjira’s header from a rebound early in the second half, remain trapped in the relegation zone with 18 points.
Caps United found their rhythm first against a Rangers side that were seemingly content with sitting back and absorbing pressure.
Barely two minutes had passed when the hosts curved their first real chance of the match when Nqobile Mpala’s header hit the upright.
Moments later, Rahman Kutsanzira was freed on the wing, but the Caps winger hesitated to go for goal and instead passed on the responsibility to fellow team mates who could not reach his cross.
It proved to be a busy opening half for Rangers goalkeeper Pedzisai Gumhiremhete who denied Leonard Fiyado from close range after some good work by Zvirekwi on the right wing.
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Minutes later, the goalkeeper blocked Kutsanzira’s effort from the danger area.
On the other end, Lawrence Mwashita headed over after Rangers had broken on the counter.
The second half started as the first had ended with Caps enjoying much of the ball, but it was Rangers who could have gone in front on 55th minute when a Nyasha Chazika free kick hit the underside of the bar and Temwanjira headed in the rebound.
To Rangers’ shock, the referee ruled the effort for an offside.
Rangers never recovered from that decision by the referee and would see themselves a goal down when substitute David Redhiyoni’s shot was parried into the path of Zvirekwi for an easy tap-in.
Caps were celebrating a second goal moments later when Zvirekwi, playing on top of his game, beat his marker on the right byline before crossing for Kawondera to hit the target in front of the ball-watching Rangers defence.
