The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
How Mine ……………….. (2) 2
Caps United …………….. (0) 1
HOW Mine coach Kelvin Kaindu remained meek despite leading his side to a triumph over Caps United at Luveve Stadium yesterday, the first time that Lloyd Chitembwe’s team had tasted defeat this season. Two superb first half strikes by Charles Sibanda and Qadr Amini made sure that How Mine, humbed 1-0 by Mutare City Rovers last Sunday walked away with their third set of three points this season against Caps United who put up a better show in the second period to find the target through substitute Brian Abbas Amidu.
Kaindu, delighted with the victory chose to be modest with his players not celebrating much, knowing well that the season is still a long way to go. He conceded that his side did not have a great second half where they allowed Caps United to fight their way back into the match but was relieved they managed to hold on for the win.
His defence Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Kudzai Chideu, Victor Kamhuka and Amini was outstanding shutting out Caps United in the second period.
Exciting winger Tsepo Ranthokoane was pulled out through injured in the second half with Kaindu disclosing that the player is due to undergo a scan to ascertain the extent of the harm to his leg muscle.
Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe believes they had a great second half and can take a lot of positives from that display despite the loss. His said focus will shift to their next assignment having put the matches they have played behind them and was not concerned about the championship race as he is convinced it is too early to talk about that.
“I thought we had a good second half, they are a lot of good things we can take from that. We cannot talk of the race, thereare still 24 games to go, we have been in this situation before. There is a lot we can do as a team, our focus is now on our next game, that is what is important,’’ said Chitembwe.
How Mine were the better side of in the first half but it was Caps United who got the chance to score with 11 minutes gone when Phineas Bamusi’s cross was headed wide by Dominic Chungwa.
Two minutes after, Pasca Manhanga, outstanding all afternoon for Chikurupati, broke through only to come up with a tame shot that Caps United goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo got his fingertips on to push it out for a corner. Manhanga got another chance in the same minute but blasted his effort wide off target.
Chungwa in the 15th minute saw off the challenge of Chideu with his shot at goal too weak to trouble Munyaradzi Diya. Manhanga got the third opportunity with 16 minutes played, his left footer almost beating Muchambo on the near post. A brilliant move for How Mine in the 20th minute had Sibanda go for goal with his shot saved by Muchambo.
Sibanda, playing far wide on the left of the How Mine attack opened the scoring in the 26th minute. In a neat move Manhanga laid the ball for Kudakwashe Musharu who put the dreadlocked strike through to blast the ball with his right foot on the run.
How Mine extended their lead in the 33rd minute, Amini with a marvellous goal from a free kick outside the box, the ball sailing over the Caps United wall to beat a diving Muchambo.
Simba Nhivi, unmarked in the box five minutes before the end of the first half could shot wide from a Ronald Pfumidzai taken corner kick. Chitembwe made a double substitution at the start of the second half, Method Mwanjali and Bamusi replaced by Leonard Tsipa and Kudzai Nyamupfukudza.
Nhivi wasted another glorious opportunity to bring Caps United back into the match in the 57th minute, guiding his effort off target from a Joel Ngodzo delivery with only Diya to beat. With 60 minutes gone, Tsipa headed wide, Ngodzo again the supplier.
Amidu, a 53rd minute replacement for Valentine Musarurwa benefited from a Tsipa pass with the 2011 Soccer Star of the Year finalist having enough time to chest the ball down and fired past Diya. Caps United seemed fired up by the goal but it was Toto Banda who almost made it three goals for How Mine with six minutes to go, the substitute firing wide after the ball had been laid back for him by Sibanda.
