The Sunday News
Langton Nyakwenda in Kadoma
Black Rhinos …………………………………………….… 0
Caps United …………………………………………… (1) 1
CAPS UNITED moved to within a point of log leaders Dynamos with a hard fought victory over Black Rhinos at Rimuka Stadium in Kadoma yesterday.
The win, on a day Makepekepe supporters showed their support for coach Taurai Mangwiro by waving placards inscribed with solidarity messages, was the Green Machine’s 12th of the season and came courtesy of a coolly struck Moses “ Supplier” Muchenje penalty late in the first half.
Caps are now on 42 points, just a point behind rivals Dynamos on 43 points. The Glamour Boys, however, are in action against Shabanie Mine at Rufaro Stadium this afternoon.
The home side, who had appeared to had found a new lease of life under Jostein Mathuthu, remained stuck in 13th place with 27 points.
The Black Rhinos mentor felt hard done by referee Munyaradzi Majoni who pointed to the spot after adjudging that Bruce Homora had first made contact with Ishmael Thindwa before clearing the ball inside the box. Television replays appeared to suggest that the referee, who did not book Homora who was already on a yellow card, got it wrong.
“This is daylight robbery, someone decided to take the points from us, that penalty was dubious and we were also denied a clear goal. Caps did not win the match but the referee won it for them,” said a seething Mathuthu demanding to see replays from the SuperSport crew that beamed the match live.
Although Mathuthu has a strong case in arguing against the penalty, replays showed that Majoni was right to disallow second half substitute Lot Chiwunga’s supposed equaliser as the forward was clearly offside.
Mangwiro, whose head was demanded by riotous Caps United supporters after last weekend’s share of spoils with How Mine, had a happy ending of the day as the “Mangwiro out” chants were replaced by “Mangwiro to stay” placards and a befitting standing ovation after the final whistle.
“This (win) is what was needed as a loss today would have spelt disaster. We have always wanted to be close to the leading pack and we have done just that. The same fans who demanded my head last week are hailing me today, and that is football for you. We are now shifting our focus to our next match against Highlanders,” said a relieved Mangwiro.
The hosts could have raced into an early lead but striker Fradreck Marowa’s 7th minute shot from close range went wide.
Ten minutes later Wilson Chakanyuka’s free kick from the edge of the box was headed wide by Reuben Machaya after the menacing Brian Muzondiwa was hacked down by Caps United skipper Tapiwa Khumbuyani just outside the box.
Caps United had a good chance in the 21st minute but Muchenje skied his effort from inside the box after a neat exchange of passes with Thindwa.
The defining moment arrived right at the death of the first half as Thindwa tumbled in the box under challenge from Homora, who, however, cleared the ball first before making contact with the gangly attacker.
Majoni controversially pointed to the spot and Muchenje sent goalkeeper Samuel Mafukidze the wrong way with a classy strike.
Teams
Black Rhinos: S Mafukidze, S Choenda, W Chakanyuka, B Homora, R Machaya, D Mbewe (M Mine 81st), S Matsangaise, B Muzondiwa, I Saramaya, F Marowa (L Chiungwa 46th), M Kurewa (N Padzarondora 59th)
Caps United: T Dube, T Khumbuyani, D Chipala, G Nyirenda, R Pfumbidzai, T Samanja, H Zvirekwi, M Muchenje, N Alifandika (G Mangani 83rd), I Thindwa (H Chimutimunzeve 63rd), K Bulaji (T Mukanhairi 92nd).
