Caps United. . . . . . (1)1
FC Platinum . . . . . (0)1
SUBSTITUTE Perfect Chikwende’s 85th minute equaliser rescued a point for the defending champions FC Platinum against hosts Caps United in what was probably the game of the season so far.
This well drilled Green Machine team appeared to be on course for a victory when William Manondo bundled home from a corner kick in the 41st minute for his second goal of the season, while the home team also wasted good chances in a dominant first half performance.
FC Platinum then went a gear up in the second half and the late Chikwende’s perfect strike, off a gorgeous Walter Musona square pass, secured a deserved point for the visitors in this hugely entertaining top of the table clash at the National Sports Stadium.
Both teams had late chances to snatch a win, but ultimately had to settle for a point which saw Caps United maintaining their top position on the log standings with 11 points, while FC Platinum are a point below after five rounds of matches.
The two coaches expressed satisfaction with the result and the quality of football displayed yesterday, which they both agreed was a good advertisement for local football.
“It was a good game, and I’m extremely happy with the way both teams played,” Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said.
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Asked if he was disappointed that his team conceded so late to get a point when it looked like they would hold onto for precious three points, Chitembwe said: “Not at all. It’s part of the game, it happens in the game. It’s a point that we take with honour because we were playing the reigning champions. We created chances and those are some of the positives. There is a lot that we can look forward to.”
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was also complimentary of the two teams and was excited his team managed to hit their target they set themselves to achieve in the first five matches.
He is, however, worried that his team is always coming from behind to get results, following other earlier comebacks against Bulawayo Chiefs and Simba Bhora.
“It was a fair result. In the first half, we were OK but the biggest letdown is that we were failing to hold on to the ball in critical moments. We had so many breaks going forward, but the decision making wasn’t spot on. When conceding the goal, we gave the ball away for a corner kick and from there we conceded. In the second half, it was a little bit better. We kept pushing. We limited their movements because they were using Phineas Bamusi’s side. In terms of quality, it was a good game of football.
“Our main objective was to finish these five matches on either 13 or 15 points, but ultimately getting 10 points is massive for us.”
He, however, expressed frustration at his defenders for allowing their goalkeeper Magalane to be bullied off the ball by Caps United attackers as shown by the corner kick that resulted in the goal.
“The way we conceded that goal, I had spoken about it with the players before the game. It happened in Bulawayo (against Highlanders), the goalkeeper wasn’t protected. Then on this situation the players told me that Bamusi was holding the keeper and Manondo scored. I didn’t see that, but those are the things where players need to be aware of. If there is an infringement going on, on the goalkeeper, one of the guys need to react and protect the goalkeeper. But we didn’t react. If there is someone (opponent) on the goalkeeper then we also have to put someone on the goalkeeper as well. If we leave it and the referee doesn’t spot it then we are in trouble. We will lose games because of that. It was a great comeback for us, but you get worried when you always have to come from behind to win matches. It’s not good at all.”
Having assumed the top position last week, Caps United were in no mood to let it slip and duly set out to stamp their authority on the game early on.
Midfielder Devon Chafa’s long range shot missed the target as the hosts dominated the early exchanges.
It was the first of the several promising openings for Chitembwe’s men, with Bamusi’s pace and directness down the left channel being a frequent problem for defenders Lawrence Mhlanga and Gift Mbweti.
Rodwell Chinyengetere was almost a beneficiary of the winger’s blistering pace, when he skinned Mhlanga before delivering a cross, which the forward glanced only for the effort to be blocked wide by FC Platinum goalkeeper Magalane.
Caps goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga was largely untested at the other end, but was called to make a double save to smoother a good shot from Innocent Mucheneka.
The goalkeeper then flicked Juan Mutudza’s header on to the cross bar when FC Platinum’s Panashe Mutimbanyoka shot could not go past a forest of legs in the Caps United box as the visitors threatened to score.
Chinyengetere and Joseph Tulani miscued their efforts, with the later’s tame shot parried behind by Magalane for a corner.
From the resultant set piece, Mandondo bundled the ball over the line inside a crowded box.
If Caps United were the better team in the first half, FC Platinum were top for much of the second and immediately looked far more threatening, save for a Manondo header on 46th minute which was blocked by Magalane.
After dominating play, but failing to convert, Mapeza threw in his joker, Chikwende on 83rd minute, and two minutes later, the striker delivered with a rising shot from inside the box to secure a point for his team.
