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Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Caps United 1-0 Chicken Inn

Dominic Chungwa is slowly staking his claim in this year’s race for the Golden Boot and yesterday he lit a rather dull evening at the National Sports Stadium with a fine finish as Caps United floored title contenders Chicken Inn at the National Sports Stadium.

The burly striker answered the call with eight minutes of regulation time remaining, beating goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze in a crowded box for his 11th goal of the season.

Chungwa has been scoring all the important goals for Makepekepe of late after recovering from a poor start this season. He can now fancy his chances at the individual accolade after coming to within a goal behind Dynamos’ Cameroonian import Joel Epoupa Ntouba.

The goal helped the Green Machine stretch their winning run to four games as they climbed one place up the ladder into fifth position.

Makepekepe assistant coach Fungai Tostao Kwashi however played down the incredible fight back by the Green Machine who are now 10 points adrift of log leaders Dynamos with nine matches remaining.

Makepekepe have won their last four matches, including last Sunday’s Chibuku Super Cup first round match against Ngezi Platinum Stars, by identical 1-0 scorelines.

“It’s now the business end of the season so it’s all about grinding results and it feels great winning against one of the champions two seasons ago. It was a tough game and well done to Dominic Chungwa as well. He got the goal for us and goes to 11 goals.

“The wins keep coming and we thank God for that because without him we could not have managed that. No doubt it was a tough game but we take it and we are grateful,” said Kwashi.

Chungwa’s goal probably eclipsed the poor showing by both teams on a windy night at the giant stadium. But Chicken Inn, who dominated most of the duels through the influence of their midfield talisman Clemence Matawu, had some good chances early in the match and were twice denied by the woodwork.

Somehow Makepekepe at times looked fidgety in defence with goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba also making some bizarre errors on the night.

Chungwa had the supporters on their feet when he bulldozed his way through the middle in the 68th minute ball but was denied by goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze who stuck his leg out to block the ball out for corner from point blank.

Chicken Inn survived another onslaught 10 minutes later after Makepekepe pinned them in their own half and forcing two corner kicks in succession. The Gamecocks literally had to put their bodies on the line when a four-men wall scrambled out a goal-bound header by defender Stephen Makatuka with the keeper beaten.

But there was nothing to deny Chungwa from a sweeping move that started with a long throw in by skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi in the 82nd minute. Nigerian Abisirim Chidiebere, who was a second half substitute, nodded the ball deep into the box and Chungwa, with his back to the goal, somehow managed to carve out enough space for himself as he shot on the turn to beat the goalkeeper from close range.

Makepekepe now have 42 points from 25 matches and their win yesterday inadvertently helped bitter rivals Dynamos stay at the top of the log table ahead of their clash against Shabanie Mine at Maglas this afternoon.

Chicken Inn needed the points to upstage DeMbare but the defeat meant they remained dropped two places into fourth position on 51 points. Stung by the defeat, the Gamecocks coach Rahman Gumbo refused to entertain the media while Kwashi was singing caution for Makepekepe.

“Right now we are not even talking about the title. We are taking it one game at a time, step by step we go up the ladder.

“We don’t want to get two ahead of ourselves, we don’t want to be big headed, we don’t want to behave like amateurs, we are professionals.

“Yes we are the champions but it’s all about winning football games and we are happy we have won another football game.

“The team is on fire. It’s four wins in four but we are not looking ahead of ourselves,” said Kwashi.

Teams
Caps United: P Chigumba, K Nyamupfukudza, V Musarurwa, G Goriyati, S Makatuka, D Chafa, M Muchenje, H Zvirekwi, P Bamusi, J Zhuwawu (A Chidiebere, 48th minute), D Chungwa (C Kamhapa, 89th minute)

Chicken Inn: E Chipezeze, P Bernard, D Lunga, T Goredema, G Goddard, C Matawu, P Madhazi, C Samakweri, K Gurure, (O Tarumbwa, 53rd minute), D Nyandoro, C Dhuwa (B Juru, 61st minute)