Caps United…..(1) 3 Highlanders……(0) 1
MAYBE their poor home record has been a simple matter of ill fortune.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Caps United have been so miserable at the National Sports — the stadium which they call home where they had won just twice in 11 games. A win there was long overdue.
But when the final whistle sounded at the giant stadium yesterday a mass of green bodies invaded the pitch celebrating and coach Lloyd Chitembwe was feted like a king after the Harare giants displayed a vintage show to crush battling Highlanders in a Castle Lager Premiership tie.
Highlanders showed so much verve and gave a scare with Obadiah Tarumbwa’s long range low drive going just four minutes into the match. However, forward Phineas Bhamusi broke the deadlock on 36 minutes bursting into the penalty area and then unleashing a low ground shot that beat goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda. Highlanders leveled matters on 52 minutes with Knox Mtizwa planting a downward header into the nets off a cross by Teenage Hadebe.
On 56 minutes, Chitembwe hauled off Moses Muchenje and threw in Dominic Chungwa with Amini Soma Phiri responding by pulling off Muthulisi Maphosa and introducing Nqobizitha Masuku on 60 minutes. Three minutes later Caps United made it 2-1 as Leonard Tsipa got to the end of a cross by Dominic Mukandi to side foot the ball into the net. Chitembwe’s substitution at the death when he brought on Equatorial Guinea striker Antonio Fugo for injured Tsipa worked wonders.
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Fugo in his first touch showed composure to set up Chungwa who put some gloss to the score line with an equally calm finish. The victory eased Caps United to fifth position on the league table with 37 points, and if they maintain the form, a top four finish is within reach. The fans even said their team was ready to face bitter rivals Dynamos.
Chitembwe who received a standing ovation at the end of the match was delighted with the victory.
“I thought the technical application, tactical application I am sure contributed to this victory. We showed more desire than our opponents. Top four for Caps United I don’t think is where we want to be. I cannot say we are ready to meet Dynamos at this stage, we are still improving. The ultimate goal for Caps is to try and be champions. We have got good working relationship with Mark Mathe. I doubted him at first when I joined but we are working very well and has helped us with inside information about Highlanders,” Chitembwe said.
His counterpart Amini Soma Phiri blamed his charges for letting in soft goals and said they need to work hard.
