Caps United make it two in a row

Sport
CAPS United coach Mark Harrison could not help, but express optimism that the good times are back at the Harare-based outfit after watching his charges dismiss new boys Tsholotsho at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.
Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison

Tsholotsho . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2

CAPS United coach Mark Harrison could not help, but express optimism that the good times are back at the Harare-based outfit after watching his charges dismiss new boys Tsholotsho at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

A goal in each half by Hardlife Zvirekwi and veteran striker Leonard Tsipa secured victory for the Green Machine.

After the match, Harrison hailed his charges for putting up a superb performance.

“It was a professional performance by the boys and while we struggled a bit in the first half and only managed to take the lead through a lucky goal, we managed to dominate the second half,” he said.

“The stability that is now prevailing at the club is a good thing for us as the boys can now concentrate on their game and as the technical team we can now take them to task unlike in the past when they were not being paid.”

His Tsholotsho counterpart Lizwe Sweswe admitted that his charges had been outplayed by the visitors.

“The boys played well, but we conceded cheap goals especially the first goal when we lost concentration in injury time,” he said.

“I think we are also being affected by the failure to have a proper training ground and playing at home away from home although I cannot use that as an excuse for our defeat as Caps played well especially in the second half.”

Caps United got off the blocks quicker than Tsholotsho with Takudzwa Mahori and Tsipa delivering some good crosses into the box from the left channel in the first five minutes that, however, found no takers.

Godknows Mangani changed the complexion of the game after replacing the injured Chrispen Machisi on 43 minutes when his spectacular overhead kick hit the upright on his second touch of the ball.

Caps went on to force three corners after that attack and their pressure was rewarded when Zvirekwi volleyed home from distance in first half injury time.

Tsipa grabbed Caps’ second goal of the day five minutes after the restart when he outpaced Thando Ncube off a Mangani though ball before dribbling past Tsholotsho keeper Chang Mariyoni and slotting the ball into an empty net.

The victory saw Caps moving up the ladder to occupy sixth position with 19 points to their credit while Tsholotsho slipped a rung below to third from bottom with 10 points to their credit.

Teams: Tsholotsho: C Mariyoni, M Phiri, N Moyo, W Stima, T Ncube, B Ncube, O Ncube (E Sibanda 68), S Gorogodyo, K Chitiyo, N Gama (L Chikuhwa 57), K Machazane (Z Moyo 75)

Caps United: C Mverechena, H Zvirekwi, D Mukandi, C Munzabwa, S Makatuka, G Nyirenda, M Muchenje, C Machisi (G Mangani 43), T Mahori, K Nyamupfukudza (T Muskwe 85), L Tsipa (L Fiyado 73)