Chaos as CAPS fall

POLICE fired canisters to disperse a rowdy element of the CAPS United supporters who were baying for the head of coach Moses Chunga after their side fell to Hwange in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

Tall Hwange striker Tongai Magwendere struck just two minutes after the start of the second half when he finished off a fine move engineered by veteran striker Gilbert Zulu.
Zulu won possession and laid a pass for Magwendere who drilled home from close range to beat goalkeeper Muzondiwa Gonese.

The goal unsettled CAPS United as they had hoped to find the target after going to the half time with a slight edge over the visitors.
Chunga then brought in Frank Adu and Pride Tafirenyika to give an impetus to his attack while Hwange replied by pulling almost every man behind the ball.

Hwange withdrew into their own half and waited for CAPS to attack while the Chipangango defenders gave little space for Simba Sithole and Evans Gwekwerere to breathe.
CAPS tried to use the wings to carve open the Hwange defence but Chipangano players stuck to the basics of playing the ball to safety first.

Hwange then pulled out the tiring Magwendere and introduced Fransico Zekumbawire who hustled the CAPS United defenders.
CAPS United were getting possession from the midfield but the final delivery to the strikers was thwarted by resolute defence from Hwange’s Tonisani Sabelo, Gerald Ndlovu and Nkosana Siwela.

The Green Machine fans never helped their team’s cause as they started singing deragatory songs about Chunga, once again accusing him of being a Dynamos son who has no business at CAPS United.
The cruel action by the section of the CAPS United fans clearly demoralised the concentration of their players and some fans even ended up supporting Hwange while booing every move by the CAPS United players.

As some fans waved goobye to Chunga, others were venting their anger on CAPS United director Farai Jere who was sitting in the VIP Tribune.
Police and some CAPS United marshals had to seal off a section of the fans who were throwing missiles at Jere, while on the field of play, they had already given up hope of the Green Machine snatching a draw from the jaws of a defeat.

CAPS United lost 1-0 to Highlanders last week after having drew 2-2 with FC Platinum but a section of the fans are still nostalgic to their first three games into season.
After the match, the under-pressure Chunga politely declined to comment as the fans continued to insult him from the terraces.

While Chunga could be pondering his stormy relationship with the Makepekepe fans, Hwange coach Tennant Chilumba also heaved a sigh of relief after getting the priceless win.
“The boys were under pressure to win and that is why they were hurrying their shots in the first half.

“We are still trying to work on the combinations and after the next few games I think we should be on the right track,” said Chilumba.
The Hwange coach said he had tasked his players to be wary of Sithole and Gwekwerere.

“I give credit to the boys, the only thing which demoralises the team is fixture which is hectic.
“We looked at the formation from CAPS and I told my boys to sit back.

“As were are playing away from home, I told my boys to sit back and wait.
“The only thing to do was to pressurise them,” said Chilumba.

Some CAPS United fans then went to the dressing rooms and waited for Chunga to come out.
Some were still singing and waving goodbye to Chunga as they waited for the CAPS United team bus to came out while saluting the Hwange players.

But police moved in and drove the fans outside the perimeter fence but some fans responded by throwing stones to the police on the southern exits.
The police came with dogs and fired at least two canisters to scare away the hooligans who then found sanctuary into Bulawayo Road.

But last night, CAPS United director Jere said he did not condone the behaviour by the section of the fans.
Jere who remained stoic as the fans also called on him to act and dismiss Chunga agreed that the team was not playing well.

However, Jere said the behaviour by the fans was uncalled for as much as the team was not getting positive results, there was no reason to resort to violence.
“As a club, we do not condone the behaviour by some of our fans and the ugly scenes.

“We admit that the team is not getting the good results but there is need to support the coach and for now we are sticking with him,” said Jere.

CAPS United

M. Gonese, D. Walaza, N. Makumbi, A. Chivheya, G. Mangani, D. Rediyoni (W. Pakamisa 72nd min) E. Gwekwerere, M. Samaneka, G. Mapemba, S. Sithole, S. Alimenda
Hwange
T. Sibanda, T. Sibelo, M. Mungadze, G. Ndlovu, A. Katebe, A. Chuma, N. Siwela, R. Chingetere, G. Zulu, T. Mangwendere (F. Zekumbawire 68th min), S. Dube (W. Mhango 78th min).


Results at glance
Motor Action 2, FC Platinum 1; Chicken Inn 1, Highlanders 2, Shabanie Mine 0, Dynamos 0; Zim Saints 2, Gunners 1; Mambas 3, Masvingo 1; Shooting Stars 1, Monoz 2; Blue Ribbon 1, Kiglon 1; CAPS 0, Hwange 1.

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