The Sunday News
Patrick Chitumba at Bata Stadium
Caps United 0-1 Chicken Inn
Warriors goalkeeper Donovan Bernard had a stellar first-half performance that ensured that Chicken Inn FC picked up maximum points past Caps United in their first match of the season at Bata Stadium yesterday.
Caps United started offensively putting Chicken Inn on the back in the early stages of the match with Ralph Kawondera, Ian Nyoni, Eric Manokore and Rodwell Chinyengetere coming close but found Bernard unyielding.
Bernard who guarded the posts for the Warriors in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria last year kept Chicken Inn in the match before centre back Itai Mabunu gave the Gamecocks the lead two minutes from half-time heading a cross from George Majika.
The second-half was cagey with Chicken Inn sitting back, absorbing pressure from Caps United waiting to catch them on the break. Two former CAPS United players defender Lincoln Mangaira and midfielder Thulani Joseph started for Chicken Inn while former Caps United assistant Fungai Tostao Kwashi barked most of the instructions on the bench for Chicken Inn.
Chicken Inn FC gaffer Joey Antipas said he was happy with the win besides struggling in the first half.
“It is always important to start off with a win which we did. We thought it was a difficult game for us because Caps, which was a quality side played well. We thought that we still have a lot of work to do to plug out some holes that we saw. All in all we picked maximum points. Caps came up with some chances and Donovan kept us in the game. We still have a lot of work to do and the team is coming up. Donovan was brilliant, in football we have goalkeepers to keep us in the game and kudos for coming up with brilliant saves. All in all, we played according to our plans,” he said.
On the other hand, Caps United gaffer, Lloyd Chitembwe praised his boys for a fine performance beside the loss to the Gamecocks.
“I thought in terms of performance we were out there. It was very encouraging considering that it’s the first game of the season.
In terms of performance I am satisfied but very unlucky on our part in terms of the overall result of the game. I thought we deserved to win considering how we played well but such is football. Going forward the performance was very encouraging and we are looking forward to the next game with hope and optimism,” he said.
The first-half started with Caps United threatening Chicken Inn in the first 10 minutes. It was Bernard again showing his experience by saving Chicken Inn from danger after punching away three threatening shots inside a minute.
As action was swinging from one side of the pitch to the other, on the 35th minute Malvin Hwata missed another scoring opportunity after a weak ball that was easily dealt with by Ashley Rayners in goals for Makepekepe.
The deadlock was broken on the 43rd minute by Mabunu who placed a well calculated header after a good cross by George Majika. At half-time Chicken Inn introduced Brian Muza for Genious “Ginimbi” Mutungamiri.
The second-half didn’t produce any fruitful moments as both coaches tried to make tactical substitutions which didn’t materialise.
Teams
Caps United: A Rayners,G Murwira,I Zambezi,H Chapusha,E Manokore, D Chafa,R Kawondera,I Nyoni,W Makuva,W Manondo (J Bakare 86) R Chinyengetere.
Chicken Inn: D Bernard, L Mangaira, I Mabunu,T Joseph,G Mutungamiri (B Muza 45) I Muchaneka (B Rendo 68) G Majika,X Ndlovu, A Chinda, M Hwata (C Agusto 64).
