BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
CAPS UNITED . . . . . . . . . . . 0
MANICA DIAMONDS . . . . . 0 Caps United earned another vital point to move a rung up the table after they were held to a goalless draw by Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The struggling Harare giants went into the match seeking maximum points as well as avenging the humiliating 6-2 defeat in the first round. However, they found the visitors determined to get away with something despite playing away from home. In the end, they went home smiling after the draw. The result lifted Caps to 13th position on the table with 23 points, while the visitors remained in fourth with 34 points. This was Caps United’s third successive draw having last won 2-1 against Harare City.
Midfielder Blessing Sarupinda finally made his debut yesterday after he was cleared at the last minute on Friday. Sarupinda has been playing in South Africa for Sekhukhune United, but decided to return home and rejoin the Green Machine. He had a decent show, but could not help his team to victory. The home team started brightly and carved out good chances with the best coming five minutes into the match, but William Manondo failed to do justice to a cross by Sarupinda sending his effort wide off target.
The visitors though fought back and could have opened their account on 27 minutes when Michael Tapera outpaced Ben Musaka on the left and cut in for Pascal Manhanga, but he narrowly missed the target.
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At the start of the second half, Manica Diamonds appeared to be superior but Tapera wasted a chance on 48 minutes blazing over following a set up by Farai Mugumwa. As Manica Diamonds pressed high Lucky Vundla sent his effort wide after breaking through the Caps United defence. Substitute Nyasha Chintuli, who came in for Farai Mugumwe wasted a glorious opportunity when his header was parried into his path by goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga, but he sent the ball wide three minutes from full time. Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said it was still work in progressive following a disappointing first round.
“There is a marked improvement in the way we want to play but winning is our ultimate objective. It’s a process, we are slowly getting there as far as the basics are concerned. It’s just a matter of time before we start winning,” he said.
His counterpart Johannes Nhumwa was pleased with the point.
“It’s a good result to get a point away from home against such a good team. Their performance is commendable, they have improved than the last time we beat them 6-2 in Mutare. They had territorial advantage. On our part I think we are on track. We are a small team less than two seasons in the Premier League and I think there are still plenty of games, about 10 games or so and we are challenging,” he said
Teams:
Caps: T Mateyaunga, L Mangaira,B Musaka, K Bulaj, V Musarurwa, D Chafa, B Sarupinda, P Bhamusi, E Mandiranga, J Thulani, W Manondo
Manica Diamonds: J Much ambo, L Vundla, B Chikwenya, E Mafirenyika, ( T Mamvura 47′), T Ndlovu, L Chakoroma ( R Mupfudza 44′), C Munzabwa, P Manhanga, F Mugumwa, C Teguru, M Tapera
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