CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . (0) 3 HOW MINE . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 0
FORMER Dynamos striker, Dominic Chungwa scored a second half hat-trick as Harare giants Caps United produced yet another sterling second half performance to clobber visiting How Mine in a Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Chungwa, who endured a torrid time at Dynamos in the first half of the season, seems to have found a new lease of life in the Caps United green and- white colours, netting his first hat trick for the club since crossing the great divide during the mid-season transfer window.
Despite the emphatic win, Caps United remained fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Triangle, as the season reaches the climax.
Having received a pass from the impressive Hardlife Zvirekwi, Chungwa slipped away from his marker with his first touch, before firing home from inside the box past a diving Donovan Bernard to give the Green Machine a 56th minute lead.
Chungwa would then get to the end of a beautiful move that involved Zvirekwi again and captain Moses Muchenje. Zvirekwi received the ball on the right side and cheekily rolled a through ball for Muchenje, who then beat an advancing Bernard and squared the ball to Chungwa who made a simple tap-in from close range 15 minutes from full time.
Chungwa completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute from the penalty spot, as referee Brighton Chimene harshly adjudged Victor Kamhuka had shoulder charged Chungwa in a tussle for the ball.
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Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was full of praise for the striker.
“Personally, as a coach, I have never doubted his abilities as a striker. He has qualities of a great striker and is always in correct positions even if he is to miss chances. On a good like today, he can convert chances and I am very happy for him,” he said.
“Otherwise, it was a difficult match and it’s good that we won, which is a morale booster ahead of the difficult trip to FC Platinum,” he added.
With the defeat yesterday, How Mine have gone 12 matches without tasting victory in the league, but a decent start to the season has kept them above the relegation zone, as they sit in 11th, five points above the drop zone, with two games left in the season.
Assistant coach, Isheunesu Chaka thought his team played too deep and gave the hosts the advantage.
“We sat back too much. We defended deep in our own half, so we gave them an advantage and also our tracking was poor. I think fatigue also took its toll on our players as we were here a few days ago playing Dynamos in the EasyCall Cup,” he said.
