CAPS UNITED…(1)1
HWANGE……..(0)1
CAPS United surrendered a first half lead to share points with visiting Hwange in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at Rufaro Stadium yesterday, a result met with disapproval by a section of the team’s fans, who demanded coach Lloyd Chitembwe’s resignation after the match.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
There was chaos outside the main VIP entrance to the stadium, with angry fans unhappy with the coach’s tactics after the team stuttered to a frustrating draw at home.
Some of the fans questioned the continued preference of goalkeeper, Joram Muchambo, who they believe has been struggling and has cost the team in some matches, including yesterday’s tie.
The fans were also irate that Chitembwe only made use of one substitute, Archieford Gutu, who came in for Simba Nhivi on 65 minutes, despite that the team was struggling to kill off the game.
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The result left the Green Machine in third place with 25 points, just five ahead of city rivals Dynamos, who overcame Bulawayo City 1-0 on Saturday.
The Harare giants, who switched to Rufaro from their traditional home ground, the National Sports Stadium, dominated the first half, carving out good chances. But their finishing was poor, with Dominic Chungwa missing a good opportunity following a set up by Tafadzwa Rusike after seven minutes.
Hwange had a good chance on 23 minutes, but Innocent Muchaneta directed his effort wide from near the penalty spot.
The home team took the lead after 28 minutes from an unlikely source — defender Justice Jangano, who spotted Hwange goalkeeper, Future Sibanda away from his line and unleashed a high ball that nestled into the nets
The goal illuminated the stadium, as Caps United fans broke into song and dance. However, that lead proved temporary, as Hwange coach Mebelo Njekwa made tactical substitutions bringing in Pervington Zimunya for Gilbert Zulu on 55 minutes and within four minutes, he watched in disappointment after directing his effort just wide.
Chitembwe then hauled off Nhivi and threw in Gutu on 65 minutes.
Moments later Tafadzwa Rusike’s powerful shot drew a fine save from Sibanda.
Njekwa was forced to make another substitution, with Craven Banda making way for Farai Vimisayi.
The visitors continued to pile on pressure, forcing Caps United to defend deep in their own half and on 84 minutes, Zimunya won possession and turned his marker before directing the ball to the far left for the equaliser.
After the goal, Hwange were the better side, threatening with some fine raids. Joel Ngodzo had a good chance to seal victory on the stroke of full time, but his effort went over the bar.
After the match, Chitembwe said that his charges played well in the first half and lost shape in the last quarter. “I thought the first half performance was excellent, but all the same the most important thing was to wrap up the match,” he said.
“We told the guys that we needed the insurance goal, but unfortunately, we had some lapses in concentration and I thought we lost our shape and conceded the goal. But I hope in the next game we will get it right.”
Hwange coach, Njekwa was pleased with the solitary point. “It’s was a great result for us looking at our situation, where we played on Sunday, Wednesday and Sunday,” he said.
“We played three matches in seven days. Fatigue affected us due to travelling, but I applaudmy guys, they played according to instructions and they nearly made it. I brought in a young team, the experienced players had played in all those matches and we thought let’s leave them behind and bring in the youngsters and they made it.
It’s great to get a point after playing second fiddle in the first half, but looking at Caps United, they undermined the youngsters and thought they had points in the bag but football is played on the pitch and in 90 minutes,” Njekwa said.
