Innocent Kurira at Luveve Stadium
Arenel 2-1 Caps United
CAPS United coach, Llyod Chitembwe gave a dour post-match interview after he watched his side surrender a goal advantage to lose to Premiership newboys Arenel yesterday.
Perhaps, he had every reason to be grumpy as this was his team’s fifth outing on a row without victory.
They have lost three and drawn two of their last five matches.
In fact, the defeat was their ninth of the season.
The visitors had gone in front through William Manondo in the 39th minute with a well-taken volley from inside the box.
CAPS United’s joy was short-lived as a minute later, the hosts won a penalty, which was converted by Brian Jaravaza.
Leading to the penalty, CAPS United goalkeeper, Tonderai Mateyaunga brought down a charging Lucky Nyathi in the box.
Three minutes into the second half, Nyathi tapped home the second for Arenel off a Timothy January pass.
Chitembwe thought it was a game that they should have won.
“We are disappointed. Naturally it is disappointing to lose a match, more so, a match that you are expected to win, due respect to Arenel but at the end of the day we are expected to win and we should have done just that. Sometimes it’s very difficult when you lose matches and what it does is that it erodes confidence levels and that is the case with us. It is very important to make sure we try and correct as soon as possible. At the end of the day we have to make sure we turn things around,” said Chitembwe.
Arenel coach, Philani “Beefy” Ncube was elated with the victory as he tries to take Arenel out of relegation danger.
“It’s not easy. One thing for sure, you have to appreciate the man who started the project. Unfortunately, it was something beyond our control. But well, we have to take it as a game as it comes,” said Ncube.
Early into the start of the game, Arenel had the chance of taking the lead after Dalubuhle Dlodlo was put through on goal. With a glorious opportunity, Dlodlo took his time to shoot and was intercepted by Mateyaunga.
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Ten minutes into the game, Gabriel Dlodlo forced a brilliant save from Mateyaunga with a sterling freekick. The Caps goalkeeper was equal to the task and punched it away to safety.
A minute later, Manondo’s header off an Erick Manokore cross went wide of goal.
In the 22nd minute, Rodwell Chinyengetere got a good chance for CAPS with a free-kick in a promising position but his effort was off target. Seven minutes after CAPS wasted their setpiece, Arenel broke through on a counter but failed to utilise their chance.
Against the run of play, Manondo broke the deadlock before his goal was cancelled soon after.
It would go to the break one all. At the start of the second stanza, none of the two teams made changes at the break.
However, CAPS were forced to make a triple substitution as soon as Nyathi put the hosts in front.
In the 54th minute, Aaron Ngwenya made a brilliant save to deny Manondo.
With 10 minutes left of play, Toto Banda found himself unmarked in the box but skied his effort over the bar.
Despite CAPS trying to get the equaliser it ended in favour of Arenel.
Teams
Arenel Movers: Aaron Ngwenya (gk), Gabriel Dlodlo, Timothy January, Authur Ndlovu, Polite Mwenda, Zibusiso Dambo, Brian Jaravaza, Dalubuhle Dlodlo, Chrispen Machisi (Toto Banda, 66mins), Brian Gijimani, Lucky Nyathi (Chilubywo Munkuli, 80mins)
CAPS United: Tonderai Mateyaunga (gk), Hastings Chapusha, Eric Manokore, Bruce Kangwa, Courage Sithole (Junior Bunjira, 52mins), Kingsley Mureremba, Innocent Zambezi, Ian Nyoni (Lot Chiwunga, 52mins), Jayden Bakari, Rodwell Chinyengetere (Phineas Bamusi, 52mins),William Manondo.
