Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . (0)
Bikita Minerals . . . . . . . .( 0) 1
ONE would have thought things couldn't get any worse for Caps United.
Four defeats in the first six matches of the season was hard to swallow for the Green Machine faithfuls.
But yesterday, the Lloyd Chitembwe-coached side plunged further after a dispiriting home defeat to Bikita Minerals.
Caps United's last defeat at home caused furore with fans calling for the sacking of Chitembwe.
The former Caps United midfielder was defiant and despite a commendable performance against Highlanders, they lost again last week.
With yesterday's defeat, the fifth in seven matches, Caps United are now at par on points with basement side Triangle.
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Both teams have collected just four points each and are 10 points behind log leaders Mwos, which play Dynamos today.
This had promised to be a season where Caps could compete, but it appears to be over so early.
Where other teams are thinking about winning the title, Caps are already thinking about survival.
Of course they still have ample time to pick themselves up and climb up the table, but confidence has hit rock bottom.
Goals have been elusive with just four to their name so far in the campaign.
In yesterday's tie, the Green Machine looked like they were heading for a disappointing draw against a team that had hitherto recorded one win.
But things got worse, with Bikita Minerals stealing all three points courtesy of a late strike in the referee's optional time by Innocent Masiwa.
Under-fire Chitembwe sent his assistant Tonderai Marume to the post-match Press conference.
Marume absolved Chitembwe of any blame over the team's crisis.
"It's a disappointing result, but that's football, we just have to take it and try to do better in the next match. Credit to the players, they gave it their all, they tried to penetrate from all angles, but it wasn't to be. If you look at our performance, we are trying to play dominating opponents and it's coming up. What is lacking is the end product. That's the difference so far. We have played a number of matches and failed to score. They [Bikita Minerals] made the most of one of the few opportunities they got and they managed to score and win the game. The performance was good but the result is not good. The result is not a true reflection of the performance. But that's the way it is, football is cruel," Marume said.
The fans voiced concern over the results again calling for the dismissal of the technical team.
Marume said he understood the fans' reaction under the circumstances.
"I feel for the fans, I probably would have reacted the same way they are doing because fans come to the game expecting results. The way forward is to go out there and work hard to try and get the desired results. There's no need for a witch hunt. As far as we are concerned, the problems we have are nothing to do with the technical, tactical, physical or mental issues. So, it would be mischief to point fingers at an individual. This is the same technical team that was here last season with a relatively weaker side. I don't think it's fair to say the problem is with the technical team. There is a problem, the result are not coming and it is the technical team's responsibility to find solutions."
Caps United owner Farai Jere last week threw weight behind his technical team insisting that the team had turned a corner.
Bikita Minerals coach Wilson Mutekede praised Caps United's quality but said their game plan worked to perfection.
"It was a good game we played against a very good side. A well-structured team but our focus was to soak up the pressure and try to hit them on the counter. In the second half we tried to get more possession but it was a very good contest. It was good to get three points away from home. If you look at the Caps United midfield, they are talented, so if you give them time on the ball, they will kill you. So we needed to reduce that time on the ball," Mutekede observed after the match.
It is a game that Caps will look back at and rue missed chances.
Results
Caps 0-1 Bikita Minerals
Manica Diamonds 2-2 TelOne
Triangle 1-0 Yadah
