Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 How Mine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
CAPS United’s championship bid suffered a jolt yesterday following another goalless draw against visiting How Mine in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League tie at Rufaro Stadium.
The draw left them static on fourth position on the league table with 39 points — still four adrift of leaders Dynamos — who were also held to a 0-0 draw by FC Platinum at Mandava Stadium on Saturday.
It was their second consecutive draw after they drew by the same scoreline against relegation-threatened side Bantu Rovers.
That result was met with disapproval by the team supporters who hurled all sorts of insults at their coach Taurai Mangwiro at the end of the match, accusing him of deliberately settling for a draw to maintain the gap between them and rivals Dynamos. Mangwiro is a former Dynamos player.
The Caps United coach was downcast at the final whistle. He described the performance by his charges as “disappointing” after they fluffed a good number of chances, especially in the first half, in which they dominated.
He blasted attackers for failing to convert those chances into goals.
Mangwiro said: “It’s very disappointing. Another opportunity to close in on our opponents is gone. I understand where the ire of the fans is coming from. We played well in the first half and created chances, but in the second half, it was all desperation. We were not precise.”
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He added: “Everyone has had a chance. If you see us bringing in Tongai Mangwendere it’s a sign of desperation. If you look at our last five games, we have not conceded a goal, but we are lacking completion. But this is not the end, we have to fight on and make up lost ground. We have to remain positive.”
His opposite number Luke Masomere was happy to collect a point against the Harare giants.
“I was impressed by my players. It was a balanced affair and I am happy with the result. To come and get a point against former champions is not bad,” said Masomere, vowing his team would not be relegated.
“We all know How Mine is in the relegation zone, but it doesn’t mean they will be relegated. I am building a team for next year.”
The gold miners moved a rung up to 11th position with 28 points from 22 matches. Caps United had started the match showing a lot of verve and carving out good chances, but their front runners Dominic Chungwa, Nicholas Alifandika and Honey Chimutimunzeve were guilty of missing good opportunities.
Veteran midfielder Wonder Sithole also missed a good opportunity for How Mine, directing his effort wide after seven minutes.
In the second half it was the same story as Caps United continued to miss chance after chance while the visitors also threatened their opponents’ goal with some dangerous raids.
