CAPS UNITED FC . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0) 1
FC PLATINUM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
CAPS United succumbed to their sixth defeat in nine matches as they went down 2-1 to FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium yesterday to leave coach Lloyd Chitembwe under mounting pressure.
Chitembwe’s side came into the game hoping to build on the weekend’s 1-0 win over Yadah, but fell to Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya’s brace either side of the half.
The forward put his side in front with a smart goal in the 24th minute and clinched the game in the 77th minute with another clever finish after Junior Bunjira had cancelled the opener two minutes into the second half.
Makepekepe’s shambolic defensive display was compounded by a limp effort in attack as they failed to put away the good chances that they created, with the home fans showing their displeasure by calling for the ouster of Chitembwe at the final whistle.
The loss sees Caps United remaining third from the bottom on the log standings with seven points, just two above bottom side Triangle, while FC Platinum celebrated their second win of the season, which moves them up to eighth on the table with 13 points.
Underfire Chitembwe, who is reportedly sitting on an ultimatum, once again snubbed the post-match Press conference, delegating the media duties to his assistant Tonderai Marume.
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Marume said he understood the fans’ frustration at the team’s slow start to the season after a group cordoned off the exit gate, forcing the police to use force to disperse the crowd.
One supporter was bitten by a police dog in the melee.
“We respect their feelings because at the end of the day, when the team fails to perform, there is someone who is accountable,” Marume said.
“And in this case, it’s us, the technical team. We are accountable. It’s normal that they want to win and if we don’t win, they think that if someone else comes in, that someone else can change the situation.
“But we have always been in these situations for the past three or so seasons and we have managed to solve the situation. We know and we are very sure that we can change the situation.”
Asked if he believes that they will be given the chance to turn things around, Marume said: “That one is not for me to say because I’m not the one that gives people a chance to change the situation.
“But what I can assure you is that we, as the technical department, have the capability of changing the situation.”
FC Platinum coach Norman Mapeza was pleased with the wins, and he hopes that his team could kick on from here and string some wins.
“I knew it was going to happen. Where we’re sitting in our position, it’s like either we’re going to lose or we’re going to win,” the Pure Platinum Play mentor said.
“So exactly what we were expecting today, I mean, for the boys, they worked so hard. It was not easy for us.
“I was talking to the boys, it’s all about belief, and we kept believing. I’m happy to go back home with a massive result like this, against a very good side, quality side.”
He added: “They played very good football. Second half, they came at us. I think we looked very organised defensively. So at the end of the day, congratulations to our boys. They worked so hard today.”
