CAPS UNITED . . . . . . (1)
TELONE FC . . . . . . . . (0)
CAPS United are basking in a return to winning ways after a hard-fought 1–0 victory over a struggling TelOne FC side at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The win gives Makepekepe some breathing space, as they extended their lead at the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League standings to two points.
Takunda Benhura scored the all-important goal that handed the Green Machine maximum points.
Caps United entered the matchday clinging to top spot only on goal difference over rivals Hardrock. However, the stars aligned for Takesure Chiragwi’s men as they secured victory, while Hardrock were held to a 2–2 draw by Ngezi Platinum Stars at Chahwanda Stadium. Caps United now sit comfortably on 19 points after eight games.
Speaking after the final whistle, a relieved Chiragwi emphasised the importance of the result over the aesthetics of the performance.
“It was a very important win for us. What is important is to keep winning. As I always say, you play to win every time. Today, we didn’t do much in terms of how we are used to playing, but football is like that sometimes. You don’t always play the way you want, but at the end of the day, if you get the win, it can give you more confidence for the next game,” he said.
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Chiragwi also reserved praise for his defence and goalkeeper.
“We also need to give credit to the goalkeeper and the defence, who helped us clear the danger. At the end of the day, we managed to get one goal and defended it. So we thank God for that,” he said.
On the opposite side, TelOne coach Herbert Maruwa lamented his side’s inability to capitalise on their recovery after a shaky start.
“We tried our best to come back into the game after conceding early, maybe around the 38th minute. We pushed to get back, but we failed. Hopefully, we can go back to the training ground and rectify our shortcomings. We need to improve our mental strength because we are conceding at crucial moments,” Maruwa said.
After being held by Hunters in their previous outing, Caps United were eager to reassert their title credentials.
They started brightly, with TelOne goalkeeper Takudzwa Chikosi producing a stunning double save early on to deny the dangerous Chawanangwa Kaonga.
TelOne were not merely spectators, however. They nearly silenced the home crowd when Innocent Muchaneka unleashed a powerful long-range effort that forced an outstanding save from the Caps United goalkeeper to keep the scores level.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 38th minute. Following sustained pressure and slick team movement, Kaonga showed great strength to win a knockdown inside the box. Benhura reacted quickest, controlling the ball and slotting it past Chikosi on the turn to send the home supporters into celebration.
The second half saw TelOne push desperately for an equaliser. They came agonisingly close when Tawanda Macheke’s flicked header beat Wallace Magalane but crashed against the upright and rebounded into play. That proved to be their final clear-cut chance, as the Caps United defence held firm to secure all three points.
With six wins, one draw and just one defeat from their opening eight matches, the Green Machine are firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat this season.
Teams
Caps United: W. Magalane, B. Kadamanja, N. Gurende, K. Chigwida, T. Chamboko (T. Meke 66'), M. Makuwe (K. Benyu 46'), R. Hachiro, B. Amidu (D. Njaliwa 65'), C. Kaonga (O. Chirinda 85'), T. Benhura, I. Wadi (A. Mukombedzi 66')
TelOne: T. Chikosi, L. Murape (N. Masilela 54'), B. Mtigo (D. Teguru 46'), B. Matebeck, I. Muchaneka, T. Macheke (E. Chikona 87'), N. Masuku (C. Chigara 46'), C. Nyakope, Z. Ruguchu, J. Chipangura (F. Mutatu), F. Makarati
Results
FC Platinum 2-2 MWOS
Hardrock 1-2 Ngezi
Agama 2-2 Simba
Triangle United 2-0 Manica Diamonds
