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Caps’ title defence stutters

Sport
CAPS United’s title defence suffered a jolt yesterday after they were held to a draw by lowly Tsholotsho in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium.

Caps United………(0) 1 Tsholotsho…………(1) 1

CAPS United’s title defence suffered a jolt yesterday after they were held to a draw by lowly Tsholotsho in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

Ronald Pfumbidzai
Ronald Pfumbidzai

The league champions went into the match desperate for maximum points having dropped two points in their opening away match to premiership returnees Shabanie Mine, before overcoming Harare City 2-1 in their second.

They, however, found themselves trailing 1-0 on 37 minutes after Nkosana Siwela profited from a mistake by Caps goalkeeper, Jorum Muchambo, who fumbled a cross from skipper, Nkosilathi Moyo.

Ronald Pfumbidzai (pictured) restored parity for the champions when his firm header, off a Dennis Dauda cross, found the back of the net just after the hour mark to earn his side their second draw of the season.

Chitembwe, though satisfied with the way his charges applied themselves overall, said he was not happy with the way they wasted numerous chances.

“My overall assessment is that we were in complete control for the entire 90 minutes. Unfortunately, the result did not go our way. It’s not the result we wanted. We were looking for a much better result than that. But there are good things we observed from the match. We did created quite a good number of chances and the conversion rate was not as good as chances created. But overall, I am satisfied though the result not a true reflection of the game. They got just one chance and they punished us, such is football,” he said.

His opposite, Farai Tawachera, whose side finished with 10-men after Moyo was sent off at the stroke of fulltime for a second bookable offence, was pleased to snatch a point against the champions.

“Job well done. It’s not easy to play against the champions. We need to respect them (Caps United) as champions. They are a lot of youngsters in the team coming up and if they can come here and give such a great show, thumbs up. Lloyd Chitembwe is a very good tactician. I know him very well. If you look at the game that was displayed it was top class. It was more like a game of chess. When he touches there, I touch here,” he said.

Chitembwe’s men showed so much verve from the first whistle, launching wave after wave of attack, and creating opportunities, which they wasted.

Even after conceding the goal, Caps United continued with their dominance, which they carried into the second half with Pfumbidzai missing a good opportunity when his powerful shot was blocked by Tsholotsho goalkeeper, Marion Chang.

Tsholotsho introduced Nixon Gama for Xolani Ndlovu on 59 minutes, while Chitembwe also brought in a fresh pair of legs with James Nguluve coming on for Justice Jangano a minute later.

And it was the Caps United change that paid dividends, as they drew level on 64 minutes, with Pfumbidzai rising high to meet a Dauda cross, which he powered home.

After the goal, Caps United poured forward in numbers, as they sought for maximum points, with Ngulube coming close on 69 minutes only for his effort to be saved by the keeper following a set up by Ronald Chitiyo.