Zimpapers Logo

Mark Harrison

Eddie Chikamhi Harare Bureau
Dynamos 1-1 CAPS United
(CAPS United won 6-5 on penalties)RODRECK Mutuma was the biggest winner as CAPS United coasted to a morale-boosting penalty shootout win over his former team Dynamos in the pre-season Sino-Zimbabwe Cement Cup at Rufaro yesterday.

The lanky forward took all the limelight to himself in his first game for Makepekepe, barely a week after he felt unwanted at the Glamour Boys and decided to make the big decision to cross the Great Divide.

As was expected, the Dynamos boo boys were on him but that could not deter him as he received from the Green Machine fans all the support he needed to stand the heat.

Mutuma could not have made it on the scoresheet yesterday but his swelling confidence and overall influence made a huge difference in the derby as Makepekepe recorded a rare win over their opponents.

DeMbare’s midfielder Milton Makopa was the fall guy when he missed his kick from the spot after the teams had played a 1-1 deadlock at the end of 90 minutes.

CAPS United’s newboy Justice Jangano put the Green Machine ahead 20 minutes into the game but DeMbare were back in the game 10 minutes later when Walter Mukanga escaped from his markers and headed home from Blessing Moyo’s free-kick.

Mutuma was the first to take the kick in the tie-break as he expertly converted to lead Makepekepe to a 100 percent finish in their spot kicks while DeMbare were always playing catch up and eventually succumbed to the pressure when Makopa sent his rising effort wide.

Despite the pre-season rust showing on both sides CAPS United will always cherish the win as they have always played second fiddle to their opponents in the last five seasons.

Ex-Gunners player Jangano gave Makepekepe the advantage when he slid the ball home from a corner kick taken by Kudzai Nyamufukudza. However, the Green Machine’s lead could not last as they were made to pay for a defensive lapse from a set-piece on the hour mark.

DeMbare won a freekick just inside Makepekepe half and midfielder Mukanga took advantage of sloppy marking when he headed home the equaliser unmarked in the middle.

However, both teams finished with 10 men after Sydney Linyama and CAPS United’s goal scorer Jangano were given marching orders in the 56th minute following a violent tussle inside the box.

Makepekepe’s new coach Mark Harrison said he was happy with the win, considering that he has only had a week with the players after arriving late for the pre-season from his base in South Africa.

Makepekepe, who lost several players during the off-season, paraded some of their new signings including goalkeeper Victor Twaliki, goal scorer Jangano, ex-DC Academy forward Nyamufukudza and Mutuma.

Dynamos coach David Mandigora said his team looked jittery at times despite fielding most of their players from last season in their starting lineup.  Their supporters also got to see their new signings as utility player Godknows Murwira, who had a good game, Qadr Amini, Kenneth Bulaji and Dominic Chungwa who came in as a second half substitute all had a run-in in the match.

Teams

Dynamos: T. Mukuruva, B. Moyo, Q. Amini, S. Linyama, G. Murwira, A. Mbara, M. Mambare (C. Sekete, 51st minute), O. Machapa (B. Amidu, 77th minute), W. Mukanga (M. Makopa, 67th minute), K. Bulaji (D. Chungwa, 67th minute), S. Nhivi

CAPS United: V. Twaliki, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, S. Makatuka, J. Jangano, C. Munzabwa, M. Muchenje (A. Phiri, 70th minute), D. Mukandi, T. Mahori (G. Phiri, 56th minute), K. Nyamufukudza (L. Fiyado, 46th minute), R. Mutuma.