CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League log leaders Highlanders suffered an energy-sapping defeat after falling to Caps United at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
REPORT BY ALBERT MARUFU
CAPS United . . .(1) 2 Highlanders . . . . . . 1
Ironically, it was former Bosso star Rahman Kutsanzira who came back to haunt his ex-employers as he turned the provider of the goals in a match that was devoid of the sleek passing associated with the two clubs.
Kutsanzira was full of running throughout the afternoon. He turned in a cross inside the box which Highlanders defenders Innocent Mapuranga and Dumisani Ndlovu failed to clear, leaving Dominic Chungwa with the easiest of chances to fire the ball past an outdrawn Munyaradzi Diya nine minutes into the game.
Highlanders however, equalised on the half-hour mark through Milton Ncube’s well struck free-kick 25m from the goal area, which left CAPS United goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube stranded.
However, second-half substitute Leonard Fiyado had the final say in the match as he chipped Diya off a Kutsanzira cross 10 minutes from time.
CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro was ecstatic after the victory which took his club’s points tally to 26, three behind Highlanders who remained on top – at least for 24 hours – despite the loss.
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“It is a welcome result for us because we have always struggled against Highlanders. It is good that we are now starting to pick up points with the season going into the second half.
“I have always said that history is there to be broken and I am glad that we have finally managed to beat them after failing in previous seasons.
“However, it was a bad week for Highlanders as they did not have time to rest after playing a mid-week game before travelling to Harare for this tie.”
Bosso coach Keving Kaindu, whose side has dropped six points in four days following Wednesday’s shock 1-0 loss to Chicken Inn, said they had not created enough chances hence their defeat.
“The loss is not good at all for us, so we have to work hard. We are on top of the log and losing points is not good for us at all. There is a lot that needs to be done if we are to bounce back,” he said.
Highlanders’ Njabulo Ncube could have found the opener in the seventh minute, but skied a Bruce Kangwa cross.
Barely three minutes later Kutsanzira and David Rediyoni both missed Moses Muchenje’s cross with the Highlanders defence providing a token of resistance at the back.
The second-half introduction of Fiyado and Hardlife Zvirekwi – whom fans have handed an assortment of nicknames ranging from “Nairobi”, “Passport” to “Muchati” – proved wise for CAPS United as they gave the tired Bosso defence a torrid time.
It came as no surprise when Fiyado got the winning goal 10minutes from time after getting to the end of Kutsanzira’s cross.
