Harare City . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) Caps UNITED . . . . . . . . . . ..(1) Harare City win 4-3 on penalties
ZIMBABWE’S Caf Confederation Cup representatives, Harare City rested some of their key players — fielding a team with a blend of youth and experience against battle-hardened Caps United, but still got the job done — edging their rivals on penalties to qualify for the semi-finals of the ZNA Charity Shield on a sun-drenched afternoon at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Harare City held their nerve to convert all their spot-kicks through defender Chrispen Dickson, Tatenda Tumba, Raymond Uchena and James Jam.
Joel Ngodzo, Hardlife Zvirekwi and Ronald Pfumbidzai converted their spot-kicks, but Dominic Chungwa and Leonard Tsipa were denied by goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamupangedengu. Chungwa was the fall guy after failing to convert a retake.
The Sunshine City Boys were missing some key players including skipper, Themba Ndlovu, Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo and Raphael Manuvire, with coach Taurai Mangwiro opting to try some players from their development side such as Tanaka Ruzvidzo, Jerry Chipangura and Tumba and the gamble paid off, as they emerged victorious over the Green Machine.
Caps United, parading their new signings, including Method Mwanjali, who was handed the armband, former Dynamos midfielders Archieford Gutu, Tafadzwa Rusike and Pfumbidzai, appeared on course for a victory as they controlled the match with Phineas Bamusi coming close on 14 minutes.
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Harare City’s Benson Maglas was guilty of missing a good cross from Ruzvidzo in the 21st minute.
And in the second half, the Green Machine continued to dominate and Tsipa thought he had thrust his side ahead in the 52nd minute from a freekick by Zvirekwi, but his effort was ruled out for an offside.
In the 62nd minute William Manondo failed to finish off a brilliant cross by Maglas. Six minutes later Mwanjali was stretchered off the pitch after landing awkwardly and was replaced by Denis Dauda.
Caps United surged ahead after 74 minutes of play courtesy of Chungwa, who finished off a wonderful delivery from the right. However, City levelled matters two minutes from fulltime courtesy of a header by Honey Chimutimunzeve, who came in for Maglas on 76 minutes for the match to spill into the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Chitembwe, however, said afterwards they were unfortunate not to win, as they controlled the game. Chitembwe was still pleased with the performance despite the outcome with the start of serious business still some three weeks away.
“It’s about the character and we were found wanting in that aspect and lost on penalties, but I am happy with the progress we have made in our pre-season preparations,” he said. “We are up there I think, its work in progress. This is one match we controlled we were getting more chances but couldn’t score,” Chitembwe, whose side face Chapungu in the league opener, said. He was not happy with the way his team conceded towards the end of the match.
“With Dauda, you know you are guaranteed height, but unfortunately he was not yet on the pitch. But in terms of numbers, we had good numbers in the box, but unfortunately we didn’t do what we were supposed to do in terms of making sure the opponents do not get to the box.”
Harare City assistant coach, Mkuphali Masuku praised his charges.
“Caps thought they had it in the bag after scoring that goal, you could see from the body language of the players, but this is one thing we are instilling in our youngsters that it’s not over until it’s over,” he said. “The idea was to give youngsters like Tanaka and Tumba a chance in a proper game against Caps United and it paid off,” he said.
