Erol Akbay
Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
Highlanders 1-0 Caps United
HIGHLANDERS shot to the top of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table after beating Caps United at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday. Star player Bruce Kangwa struck the game’s solitary goal in the 63rd minute, tapping home a brilliant pass by young Prince Dube. Dube, who had a good game, limped off later in the match after a crude tackle. Caps United finished the match with 10 men after veteran striker Leonard Tsipa earned himself an unnecessary straight red card for head butting Bosso defender Peter Muduhwa in an off the ball incident in the 54th minute.
The red card by referee Thabani Bamala proved to be the turning point of the game, despite Tsipa having been kept under lock and key by Muduhwa. “I never really saw what happened, but the expulsion was the turning point of the game,” said Caps United assistant coach Tostao Kwashi after the match.
“It’s football, you win some and lose some. As coaches, we are not disappointed by the result as our guys played well. We were all over Highlanders, but goals eluded us,” he said. Highlanders were the first to take a shot at goal in the 10th minute through Dube, but Caps United were not shaken as they continued with their patient possession football, midfielder Devon Chafa outstanding at winning and distributing the ball.
His efforts, however, were not complemented by Joel Ngodzo, forcing coach Lloyd Chitembwe to pull him out in the 38th minute for Phineas Bamusi. Despite enjoying territorial advantage, Caps United failed to trouble Bosso goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda, as they didn’t register a single shot on target in the first half.
The second half continued with the visitors still enjoying more possession and threatening to overrun their hosts until Tsipa’s moment of madness. Once Tsipa was out, Highlanders began enjoying possession and at one time exchanged 23 passes without Caps United touching the ball.
Gabriel Nyoni, making a rare start for Highlanders, shook his head in disbelief in the 61st minute when his shot was saved by Edmore Sibanda in goals for Caps United. The goal came in the 63rd minute following a nice build up by Highlanders that saw Dube coming face-to-face with the keeper in the box, but unselfishly laying the ball for the onrushing Kangwa, who had the easiest task of tapping the ball past a stranded Sibanda.
Caps United still kept their shape after the goal and launched a barrage of attacks, which the Bosso defence or keeper Sibanda dealt with. Highlanders coach Erol Akbay said he was happy with the win. “We laid back and allowed them to come at us and then caught them on the counter. I am happy with the win,” said Akbay.
Teams:
Highlanders: Ariel Sibanda, Bukhosi Ncube, Adrian Silla, King Nadolo, Bruce Kangwa, Prince Dube (Nhlanhla Ndlovu 82nd min) Tendai Ngulube, Peter Muduhwa, Tendai Ndlovu, Erick Mudzingwa, Gabriel Nyoni (Brian Banda 71st min).
Unused subs: Julius Daudi, Godfrey Makarutse, Douglas Sibanda, Njabulo Nyoni
Caps United: Edmore Sibanda, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Ronald Pfumbidzai, Justice Jangano, Stephen Makatuka, Devon Chafa, Moses Muchenje (Kudzai Nyamupfukudza 74th min) Joel Ngodzo (Phineas Bamusi 38th min) Tafadzwa Rusike (Dominic Chungwa 69th min) Simba Nhivi, Leonard Tsipa
Unused subs: Jorum Muchambo, Carlton Munzabwa, Valentine Musarurwa, , Zvikomborero Biseki
Results at a glance
Saturday: Harare City 1-1 Chicken Inn, Tsholotsho 3-0 Hwange, Ngezi Platinum 3-1 Triangle
Yesterday: Chapungu 2-0 Mutare City Rovers, Highlanders 1-0 Caps United, Border Strikers 0-2 How Mine, Dynamos 0-0 ZPC Kariba, FC Platinum 1-0 Bulawayo City