CAPS United . . . . . . . . . (1) 1 Ngezi Platinum . . . . . . . . . .0
SIMBA Nhivi ended 36 minutes of resistance by stubborn Ngezi Platinum at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday to score the only goal that helped Caps United secure maximum points and lay one hand on the ultimate prize in domestic football, with one game left in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Nhivi profited from a set up by Ronald Pfumbidzai, slotting the ball home following a poor clearance by goalkeeper, Nelson Chadya.
Caps United fans had come in their thousands anticipating that their team would be crowned champions of Zimbabwe with a win over Ngezi Platinum.
And when Nhivi put them in the lead, they went into a frenzy. But as news filtered in that FC Platinum had hammered Highlanders 3-0 at Mandava, the Green Machine supporters knew they had to wait until the very last day of the league programme to win the title.
The victory over Ngezi Platinum took Caps United’s points tally to 60, while FC Platinum trail behind on 58 points.
Caps United travel to Ascot Stadium next weekend for a clash against Chapungu and need at least one point to be crowned champions, while FC Platinum need an outright victory against Tsholotsho.
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A point for Caps and three for FC Platinum would mean that the latter will be champions.
Despite Ngezi choosing to defend deep in their half, relying on counter attacks, they nearly raced into the lead barely two minutes into the match, with Terrence Dzukamanja breaching the Caps United defence before unleashing a powerful shot that cannoned off the upright post.
Caps United striker, Leonard Tsipa, missed a headed opportunity on the quarter of the hour before Nhivi popped up with the goal.
In the second half, the visitors played with more ambition.
On 65 minutes, Caps’ Joel Ngodzo reacted slowly after a cross from Tsipa, while substitute Dominic Chungwa and Nhivi took turns to miss following a cross from Phineas Bhamusi on 80 minutes.
But Ngezi, who controlled the match towards the end, felt hard done by Masvingo referee Arnold Ncube, after their penalty appeal was turned down, when Pfumbidzai, in a desperate clearance, appeared to have handled the ball in the penalty area.
“I thought Caps were in control in the first half. We had good chances of scoring then after that we had good chances of scoring,” observed Ngezi Platinum coach, Tonderai Ndiraya after the match. “ But we conceded what I can call a soft goal. We had the numbers in the box, but we went to sleep and they scored. In the second half, I thought we were a little bit in control, we threw more bodies forward and we had good chances, but we couldn’t score.”
He added that his team should have got a penalty in the Pfumbidzai incident.
“From where I was standing, I thought it was a penalty — a huge penalty shout, but the referee thought otherwise. “But that is football, good luck to Caps, they have done well this season. We had 90 minutes to win the match and we couldn’t. But I thought a draw would have been a fair result,”
Lloyd Chitembwe was naturally pleased with the outcome.
“It was a very good game. We played a very good team. My honest analysis is that the match was very exciting. It’s important for us to collect the three points. We will prepare for the next match and try to get a result,” he said.
Teams:
Caps : E Sibanda, H Zvirekwi, R Pfumbidzai, S Makatuka, D Dauda, D Chafa, J Ngodzo (Munzambwa 90), P Bhamusi, T Rusike (K Nyamupfukudza 46), S Nhivi, L Tsipa (D Chungwa 74)
Ngezi: N Chadya, T Mchisa, T Chamboko, L Chakoroma, P Jaure, K Bulaji, T Dzvukamanja (W Pakamisa 71), N Ketala (J Ncube 53), W Mukanga, E Tapera, D Teguru
