Lloyd Chitembwe
Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
ZDF Select 2-0 Caps United
ZIMBABWE Defence Forces Soccer Select team yesterday proved that there is a lot of depth within its soccer teams when they beat Premiership side Caps United in the Defence Forces Cup at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
ZDF soccer clubs have dominated for a long time and over the years they have produced quality players that have played for the national team and other big clubs.
Yesterday, the Select team featured players from the Premiership side Chapungu and Division One sides Black Rhinos and Tongogara with the players a mixture of youth and veteran players exhibiting some good football as they stood against Caps United.
The match capped the Defence Forces day celebrations which had begun with a number of activities and displays.
The Minister of Defence Sydney Sekeramayi presented the winners with a trophy.
For winning the Cup the Select side was rewarded with $7 000 prize money while the losing finalists Caps United pocketed $5 000.
Some of the important guests at the stadium were Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General Constantino Guveya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant General Phillip Valerio Sibanda.
Goals from Black Rhinos forward Vincent Mhandu in the 16th minute and veteran striker Phillip Marufu 55th minute saw the ZDF Select make light work of the former champions in an exciting match which was watched by a near capacity crowd at the giant facility.
Former Premiership side Black Rhinos showed that it is not a fluke that they are on summit of the Zifa Northern Region Division One standings as they provided the bulk of the players in the team with their attacking players Maheya and Vincent Mhandu on song the whole afternoon.
ZDF Select coach Maronga Nyangela was happy with the victory.
“It is a great victory indeed. I am happy because we have claimed back the trophy which was taken by Dynamos last year. The team played according to plan despite the fact that we only trained for three days.
“There is depth in defence forces teams and this team is going to be one of the best defence teams.
“Caps United is a good team. They are on top of the log, we respect them but today we didn’t give them much respect.
“We wanted to win,” said Nyangela.
Caps United did not hang their heads in shame with assistant coach Fungai “Tostao” Kwashi saying they drew a lot of positives from the game.
Going into the game gaffer Lloyd Chitembwe said he wanted to have a closer look at some of the players at the same time maintaining their momentum as they travel to Hwange for a tricky league assignment this weekend.
The technical team was left satisfied with some of the players they threw into the fray.
“It was a good game of football. We dominated possession but didn’t have the decisiveness in the final third. We are grateful for being invited here, even though we rested eight regular starters we were able to play well and see what other players have got to offer.
“I was so impressed with this game. We now know the level of the performances of all our players because a match situation is different to a training session.
“If you look at young players like Amon (Kambanje, striker) he had a great game and kept possession. Valentine (Musarurwa) was on as well.
“In a squad of many players, it is important to rotate the players and they should always fight for their places.
“Overall, I am happy. I am not worried about the result as it was all about the football skills being displayed,” said Kwashi.
The former Caps United attacking midfielder also hailed the ZDF Select team.
“Well done to ZDF team. They showed discipline, tight defence and solid midfield. They managed to hit us on the counter,” he said.
Caps United gave a run to some of the players that are not commanding first team places while midfielder Devon Chafa and skipper Stephen Makatuka provided the stability.
Chafa was replaced by Archieford Gutu at half time as the coaches sought to give Gutu who is lacking match fitness some game time.
However, it was not a perfect day for Caps United goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo on his return as he conceded two goals.
Caps United first choice goalkeeper Edmore “Zikeeper” Sibanda was having fun in the match as he later came in the second period trading his gloves for a right back position as he replaced injured Zvikomborero Biseki.
Teams
ZDF Select: H. Rusawo, J. Mabhugu, W. Chakanyuka, B. Homora, T. Chokuwamba, P. Ngwenya, N. Murisa, M. Mine, C. Maheya (B. Chandisaita 57th minute), V. Mhandu, P. Marufu (M. Mavhuto 90th minute)
Caps United: J. Muchambo, Z. Biseki (E. Sibanda 36th minute), J. Jangano, C. Munzambwa, S. Makatuka, D. Chafa (A. Gutu 46th minute), K. Nyamupfukudza, V. Musarurwa, C. Kamhapa, J. Ngodzo, A. Kambanje.