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Tadious Manyepo, Harare Bureau
Caps United 2-0 Manica Diamonds

CAPS United made a firm statement of intent with this Castle Lager Premier Soccer League opening day victory at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

Thulani Joseph, who would be red-carded for a crude tackle in the second half and Blessing Sarupinda grabbed the goals for the Green Machine.

Makepekepe played with both conviction and aplomb as they gave their supporters hope and belief this season could be theirs.

They are top of the standings at least for 24 hours given they scored twice and kept a clean sheet.
Coach Lloyd Chitembwe deployed a 4-4-2 formation with Godknows Murwira and Innocent Zambezi occupying the wingbacks while Ben Musaka and Kelvin Madzongwe twinned at the heart of defence.

Murwira was an immediate hero as he made his debut since leaving rivals Dynamos at the end of last year.

The former Ngezi Platinum man provided a firm cross that was fumbled by Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo and Joseph squeezed in the rebound. Sarupinda struck the second goal for Caps United when he sliced home after receiving a perfectly lofted pass from Madzongwe at the stroke of half time.

Chitembwe expressed satisfaction at the manner in which his charges carried themselves in both halves.

“I thought it was a very good performance from my own view point.

“I think the performance gives credibility to our preparations and I am extremely happy.
“The team really wanted it, the hunger was evident,” said Chitembwe.

“The second half performance, in which we engaged low gears was deliberate. There is no way that one team can dominate for the entire 90 minutes.

“We knew after getting what we wanted in the first half, we didn’t need to play like we were chasing the game in the second half.

“We knew doing that was going to leave us vulnerable.

“With a two-goal advantage going into the second half, we didn’t want to risk leaving a lot of gaps behind.”

His Manica Diamonds counterpart Jairos Tapera felt the early goal which Thulani scored in the third minute unsettled his players.

“I thought the first goal came too early for us.

“That disrupted our game plan and we were forced to venture forward more in search of an equaliser,” said Tapera.

“But they then got a second goal which made it even more difficult for us.”

Teams

Caps United: Tonderai Mateyaunga, Godknows Murwira, Innocent Zambezi, Kelvin Madzongwe, Ben Musaka, Devon Chafa, Blessing Sarupinda (Hastings Chapusha 88 mins), Phineas Bamusi, Clive Rupiya (Josiah Daka 79 mins), Thulani Joseph, William Manondo

Manica Diamonds: Jorum Muchambo, Lawrence Masibhera, Brian Chikwenya, Kelvin Gwao, Liberty Chakoroma, Trevor Mavhunga, Jeffrey Takunda(Pascal Manhanga 46 mins) Donald Ngoma (Charles Teguru 59 mins), Michael Tapera (Brett Amidu 46 mins), Gerald Bero (Fortune Binzi 59 mins) Ralph Kawondera (Talent Chamboko 46 mins).