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Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Black Rhinos 0- 0 Caps Utd

BLACK Rhinos coach Stanford “Stix’’ Mtizwa appears to be slowly turning into a crybaby after he again questioned the decision to expel his captain Bruce Homora for an early shower in this drawn Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

Homora was sent for an early shower for a high boot on Dominic Chungwa after only 22 minutes.

“We played with 10 men, yes. But it really disturbed and reduced our game plan. We had to switch some positions. I thought if we had played with 11 men there are chances we were going to win this game,’’ said Mtizwa.

“Unfortunately it happened that Bruce got a red card but I am happy how my boys played against 11 men. It’s so difficult but they gave everything into that game to come out with a result. I am happy with that.

“We wanted to win this game but a point is better than nothing.’’

With Rhinos’ Lot Chiwunga out because of injury, Caps United’s Chungwa had a chance to break away in the Golden Boot race but the burly forward did not get clear-cut chances yesterday.

The two are leading the charts with 12 goals apiece.

Referee Brighton Chimene sent off Homora for a high boot challenge on Chungwa and Mtizwa questioned the call, and the six minutes of time added on, just a few days after also criticising another referee when Yadah Stars grabbed a last-gasp equaliser.

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe yesterday gave in to the numerous calls from the supporters to give Nigerian Abisirim Chidiebere a starting place and the forward played the entire match.

Joel Ngodzo also got the nod in the starting line-up and lasted the whole 90 minutes.

Makepekepe skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi could have given the Harare giants the breakthrough when Rhinos ’keeper Herbert Rusawo strayed off his goal area but the utility man failed dismally with his calculations.

But Rhinos slowed the game down after going a man down, with their ball boys also aiding in frustrating the Caps United players until fourth official Washington Chari was forced to send some of them away from the touch line.

In the 54th minute substitute Amon Kambanje tested Rusawo from a distance but the shot went straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.

Rhinos could have stolen the lead against run of play when Taurai Chigudu beat an offside trap in the 57th minute and came face-to-face with Edmore Sibanda but the midfielder ran out of ideas with the keeper at his mercy and disappointingly dragged his shot wide of the target.

“Numerically it’s an advantage but what normally happens when you play teams which are a man down is that they are dangerous in that they increase their intensity,’’ said Caps assistant coach Fungai Kwashi.

“It’s not like that teams that have that extra man don’t put effort but sometimes things don’t go according to plan. Give credit to Black Rhinos, they were brave, they kept fighting, they are soldiers but like I said different games, different days.

“But we are not going to lose heart over that. We are disappointed, we are not happy about it and we will transfer that anger to our training sessions and to the fixtures that are coming.’’

Teams

Black Rhinos: H. Rusawo, J. Mukombwe, W. Chakunyuka, S. Jimu, B. Homora, S. Linyama, D. Mudadi, T. Chigudu, M. Mine, M. Kureva (R. Mwenga, 81st min), B. Marere

Caps Utd: E. Sibanda, K. Nyamupfukudza (A. Kambanje, 47th min), V. Musarurwa, G. Goriyati, S. Makatuka, D. Chafa, J. Ngodzo, H. Zvirekwi, P. Bamusi, D. Chungwa, A. Chidiebere.