Zimpapers Logo

CAPS United’s winning streak under Moses Chunga came to an end at Rufaro yesterday as 10-men Gunners battled from behind to force a share of the spoils in a Premiership tie.

Makepekepe had been enjoying their place in the sun since Chunga took over, winning five league games under the former Gunners coach.
But their proud record was dented yesterday as the champions staged a dramatic comeback.
CAPS United took the lead in the 23rd minute through skipper and centre back Nyasha Mukumbi.

Gunners ensured a share of the spoils when Patrick Makuvaza evened the scores in the 73rd minute.
The champions where reduced to 10 men following the expulsion of striker David Redhiyo-ni for a crude lunge on Mukumbi in the 32nd minute.
The former Eiffel Wildcats striker unnecessarily went for the man instead of the ball and referee Sungano Makwangudza showed him a straight red card.

CAPS United’s goal came via a short corner taken by Joel Lupahla, who played the ball to Marvel Samaneka who in turn laid it on for Mukumbi to drill home.
With the one-man advantage and a goal up, CAPS United took control of the game with Lupahla, Frank Adu and Samaneka causing anxious moments for Gunners.
But Gunners thought they had pulled one back when Lloyd Masakusi drilled the ball past Edmore Sibanda as he finished off a cross from Ali Sadiki.

However, the referee ruled that the effort was offside and the Gunners bench — led by assistant coach George Madira — was livid with the decision as they protested to the match official.
But Chando Kupisa’s disappointment was short-lived.
Elvis Meleka fired a cracker that Sibanda parried back into play and the gold-shirted CAPS defence failed to clear the danger.

The ball fell into the path of Makuvaza who slotted it home, but the former Lengthens striker earned himself a yellow card for going overboard in his celebration. Makuvaza ran back to the tunnel leading to the dressing room with some of his teammates in pursuit.
Five minutes later, CAPS United nearly regained the lead when Last Chibwiro got to the end of a fine move from Samaneka and then laid on for an on-rushing Vincent Nzombe who was however, caught offside.

The Green Machine were on the offensive in the 81st minute when Gilbert Mapemba took a booming shot on the run that flew across Tafadzwa Dube’s goal.
Gunners captain Dube was made to work overtime as he pulled some fine saves while Daniel Veremu and Norman Togara were also forced into some desperate defending to ward off the CAPS United raids.
It was the first time too, that CAPS United had conceded a league goal since Chunga’s arrival.

Chunga reckoned they could have maintained a straight record had his defence not gone to sleep. The coach also took a swipe at the league programme, saying their two-week break had affected their rhythm.
“The way our league is being run has affected us.
“We were on a roll and made to stop playing and this has not benefited us at all,” said Chunga.

He said his charges were relaxed after getting a goal and the numerical advantage.
“Our players tend to relax when we are playing 10 men.
“I saw that our defence concentrated on marking one man and relaxed on the other players,” Chunga said.

Gunners, who won the championship under Chunga last season were happy with the result as their last two outings had ended in defeat.
Coach Darlington Dodo lashed out at Redhiyoni for unsporting behaviour.
“I am happy because despite being a man down, we managed to get a point. It was difficult because for three quarters of the game we were playing with 10-men and a goal down too. But we never gave up and I think we should build from this result,” said Dodo.

“I am not pleased with the way Redhiyoni challenged for the ball. He appeared to go for the man, instead of the ball. We were a goal down and he further disadvantaged us, but in the end we fought our way back,” Dodo said. Coming into this game, Gunners had lost 2-1 to Highlanders in a league game while a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Dynamos in a Zaoga Charity Golden Jubilee Charity Shield had hurt their pride.

Gunners remain in third place with 33 points from 18 games and have a one-point advantage over CAPS United.
TEAMS:

CAPS United: E. Sibanda, G. Mapemba, D. Fourpence, N. Mukumbi, D. Walaza, P. Tafirenyika (V. Nzombe 53rd minute), L. Tsipa (L. Chibwiro 69th minute), J. Lupahla, M. Samaneka, E. Chafungamoyo, F. Adu

Gunners: T. Dube, Q. Amin, A. Sadiki, D. Veremu, N. Togara, D. Redhiyoni, P. Makuvaza, E. Meleka, L. Masakusi (N. Ziwini 81st min) H. Zvirekwi, N. Maroto.