Caps United. . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2 Black Rhinos . . . . . . . . . . . . .(2) 3
MICHAEL MADYIRA SPORTS REPORTER
BLACK RHINOS edged Caps United, but still failed to vacate the relegation zone following a dramatic encounter at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday.
Caps had Hardlife Zvirekwi and Benson Maglasi’s seemingly legitimate second-half goals disallowed, but Rhinos, however, impressively held on to hand the Green Machine their second successive defeat at home.
Brighton Mugoni thrust Rhinos ahead 15 minutes into the match before Brian Muzondiwa doubled the scoreline in the 34th minute to give the soldiers a 2-0 half-time lead.
Five minutes after the restart, Maglasi’s powerful drive just outside the box reduced arrears for United.
But Lot Chiwunga gave Rhinos further advantage again in the 71st minute after a neat move from Mugoni that fooled Caps defenders George Magariro, Steven Makatuka and defensive linkman Tendai Samanja who were desperately trying to thwart the smart exchange of passes.
Caps attempted to come back through Ronald Pfumbidzai’s immaculate strike straight from a corner-kick three minutes later.
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With 34 points at the relegation zone cut-off spot and just one point behind Black Mambas, Rhinos coach Arthur Tutani remained confident of survival.
“I am always preaching that it is not over until it is over,” Tutani said.
“We still have six points to play for and on Friday during out training session I told the players that we did not have to return to Division One.”
On a poorly-attended afternoon where 30 minutes before kick-off there were exactly 30 fans inside the giant stadium, Rhinos had a much better first half with Chiwunga getting denied by Caps goalkeeper Brighton Muchambo at close range after being released by Mugoni.
But Caps came back looking determined and as early as the first minute after the interval, Zvirekwi’s long rising and teasing strike hit the cross bar before landing just inside the goalline, but referee Batsirai Muchenje waved play on.
Maglasi then coolly finished a Leonard Fiyado slick pass, but the goal was ruled offside.
