Harare City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
MICHAEL MADYIRA
FADING giants Caps United got their 2013 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League to a false start after succumbing to Harare City at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
Centreback Crispen Dickson settled the match six minutes after the restart in a rather lackluster encounter beamed live on pay-per-view television channel Supersport.
Following Dickson’s strike, Caps United never showed any determination to claw back into the match especially after defensive linkman Moses Muchenje was shown the red card with 10 minutes to go. Muchenje’s dismissal gave Caps’ caretaker coach Brenna Msiska reason to vent his anger on referee Thomas Masaa.
“How could we win when the referee also played the match against us? How is it possible to send off someone who has been fouled? Many of the referee’s decisions caused confusion and unsettled my boys,” raged Msiska.
“We had a good game especially in the second half, but we were forced to change our game plan after that goal. We have a good team and today’s result does not truly reflect the way we are going to play for the rest of the season.”
The Green Machine also failed to win last season’s league opener which they drew nil-all away at Shabanie Mine.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Harare City posted a goalless draw with Motor Action in the first match of their maiden league campaign last season.
But yesterday, Bigboy Mawiwi’s charges enjoyed a rich depth as most of their star players were on the bench.
“This is what we wanted. Last season we failed to win our first match, but now we have had a good start to the season which is enough to inspire us ahead of our match against Highlanders on Monday. I cannot complain about the way my guys played. There is hope for the future,” said Mawiwi.
The afternoon saw both sides rarely threatening each other especially in the opening half with the first real chance coming after 11 minutes when an unmarked David Rediyoni failed to direct his shot at goal after coming at the end of Leonard Fiyado’s cross.
Fiyado’s deflected shot inside the box nearly teased his former teammate Muzondiwa Gonese in goal for City on 23 minutes, but the goalkeeper managed to collect it. Four minutes after the restart William Manondo headed straight at Caps’ goalie Tafadzwa Dube after being fed by captain Godfrey Nguwodzawo.
The defining moment came when Dickson, lurking on the blind side, fired home a Talent Chawapihwa corner kick past a forest of legs.
