CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi has heaped praise on Ishmael Wadi after a virtuoso performance from the winger helped the Green Machine bounce back to winning ways against ZPC Kariba on Sunday.
However, an afternoon of high drama was ultimately defined by a series of highly controversial refereeing decisions that threatened to overshadow the football.
In a thrilling 3-2 victory, the 33-year-old forward was virtually unplayable at times.
Wadi scored twice, including a nerveless winning penalty in stoppage time, and provided an assist for Takunda Benhura to net Caps United’s second.
He was also denied a legitimate hat-trick when an early second-half goal was incorrectly ruled out for offside.
Yet, embodying the chaotic spirit of the afternoon, Wadi’s match ended in ignominy.
Keep Reading
- CAPS United dismiss player strike reports
- CAPS United rob Wha Wha
- CAPS Utd salvage point in four-goal thriller
- Inside sport: What has gone wrong at Dynamos?
Moments after scoring the winner, he was shown a second yellow card deep in stoppage time for a bizarre act of dissent, deliberately delaying his departure from the pitch after his number was called for a substitution.
The red card ultimately cost him the official Man of the Match award, which was bizarrely handed to ZPC Kariba goalkeeper Future Sibanda instead.
Wadi has occasionally been maligned for his selfishness, but here he showed admirable presence of mind to pick out Benhura, and he could have easily bagged a second assist had Delic Murimba done justice to a fine through pass in the first half.
Chiragwi was left impressed by the veteran forward’s performance despite his late moment of madness.
“I’m happy with Ishmael Wadi,” Chiragwi said.
“You look at how he created the second goal . . . the Ishmael Wadi that we know; he could have tried to score on his own at the near post. He was a different player, which means he was listening during training. He is one of the reasons why we won. Unfortunately, he was frustrated with the situation regarding the substitution. But at the end of the day, we just need to say, okay, thank you for the day. Tough luck for him to get the red card.”
The victory snapped a damaging four-match winless streak that had threatened to derail Caps United’s title charge.
It also coincided with the return of Chiragwi to the dugout.
The highly-rated tactician had missed the club’s recent setbacks — a 2-0 defeat to Scottland and a goalless draw against FC Platinum — while away on international duty as an assistant coach for the Warriors.
Chiragwi admitted that the barren run had taken a psychological toll on his squad, attributing the victory to hard work and a timely restoration of self-belief.
“When you keep playing and you’re not getting the desired result, that’s always expected — you put yourself under pressure,” Chiragwi said.
“Look how we’ve been creating chances and not scoring. It’s because of pressure. So, we needed to come in as a technical team to make sure we give confidence to the players and help them believe in themselves. We told them we are creating chances; it’s only that we are not converting. We told them to make sure to use the correct technique in front of goal. And they did just that.”
The vital three points keep Caps United firmly in the championship hunt, lifting them one rung up to third in the table. With 31 points after 16 rounds of matches, they sit level with league leaders Hardrock.
For all the attacking fluency on display, the match will long be remembered for the erratic officiating.
The officials’ afternoon began to unravel when Wadi’s legitimate goal was disallowed, with television replays showing he was clearly onside.
Scrutiny intensified when referee Israel Nhevera allowed ZPC Kariba’s second goal to stand. Scorer Kudzai Ngwende appeared to kick the ball directly out of the hands of Caps United goalkeeper Wallace Magalane — an action often penalised in modern football.
The flashpoint came four minutes from time when Nhevera awarded Caps United a penalty for handball against defender Kelvin Gwao, despite the ball appearing to strike the back of his arm as he attempted to withdraw it.
The referee did little to calm tensions, delaying his decision before being confronted by protesting Caps United players.
Incensed by the call, ZPC Kariba players briefly walked off the pitch in protest before returning to face the penalty, which Wadi converted to seal a breathless and combustible victory.
Next up for Caps United is a tough midweek trip to Chicken Inn tomorrow, while ZPC Kariba host Herentals at Nyamhunga.
Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matchday 17 fixtures
Today: Bulawayo Chiefs v TelOne (Barbourfields).
Tomorrow: ZPC Kariba v Herentals (Nyamhunga), MWOS v Manica Diamonds (Ngoni), FC Platinum v Hardrock (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Caps United (Barbourfields), Simba Bhora v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Wadzanayi), Dynamos v FC Hunters (Rufaro).
Thursday: Scottland v Triangle (Rufaro), Highlanders v Agama (Barbourfield)