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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
Tsholotsho 0-1 Caps United

A BIZARRE 50th minute decision by match officials that denied Tsholotsho a clear penalty following a handling incident inside the box by Caps United defender Dennis Dauda overshadowed the Harare side’s narrow win in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Luveve Stadium yesterday.

Caps United scored in the 71st minute through their bulldozing Hwange-born striker Dominic Chungwa after a brilliant move started by Joel Ngodzo, who made a dazzling run outside the box and in the process drew the Tsholotsho defenders. Ngodzo then quickly laid the ball back to Valentine Musarurwa, who spotted the overlapping Hardlife Zvirekwi from the blind side. Zvirekwi sent in a hard and low grounder that Chungwa just pushed into the net.

However, Tsholotsho, whose game plan had worked for them, felt hard done by the 50th minute penalty denial.

An in-swinger came from the right side and in an effort to clear, Dauda handled with his outstretched arm. Gweru referee Thomas Masaa did not blow even when first assistant referee Melody Ncube flagged and continued to wave his flag to draw the attention of Masaa. Ncube then put his flag down just as Masaa was also turning to look at him. The two officials exchanged a thumbs up sign, much to the astonishment of fans.

“It could have been the turning point for us, but referees are human beings too that make mistakes,” said Tsholotsho assistant coach Xolani Mafikeni after the match.

Tsholotsho though could have scored in open play had their strikers, particularly Collins Dhuwa, been more composed in front of goal.

In the seventh minute, the wasteful Dhuwa’s tame and ill-advised shot from outside the box rolled weakly at Caps United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.

Two minutes later, Makepekepe almost opened the scoring after left-winger Valentine Bamusi dispatched a speculative and dipping shot that almost embarrassed Chang Mariyoni in goals for Tsholotsho.

The visitors continued to exert pressure on the home side’s defence with their best chance falling in the 14th minute.

Zvirekwi, who was playing on the right of defence, but used as an attacking link, released a long calculated pass to the onrushing Phineas Bamusi on the left side. Bamusi charged forward and delivered a low cross that a cluster of Tsholotsho defenders and Caps United forwards took turns to miss. The ball fell to an unmarked Moses Muchenje, whose grounder was cleared for a corner.

In the 23rd minute, Dhuwa was again presented with another chance to put Tsholotsho ahead, but his shot from inside the box gave Sibanda no problems following a move orchestrated by outstanding debutant Zimiseleni Moyo, who had a good game.

Four minutes before the breather, Moyo was again involved in another Tsholotsho attack that was again fluffed. The championship winning left footer with Zanaco of Zambia was at it again a minute before halftime when his industry saw a through ball being laid to Blessing Sibanda, who beat his marker for pace and placed the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and it rolled goal wards.

Blessing somehow slowed down, probably thinking the ball was going straight in, but it changed direction and went out for a goal kick.

The second half was a rather dull affair except in the last 15 minutes when Caps United threw everything they had and it was from one of these raids that they grabbed the goal and with it maximum points.

“We told our guys to take the initiative in the second half as it was clear that Tsholotsho had a game plan which worked for them in the second half. We badly needed this result and I am glad we got it,” said Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe.

Teams

Tsholotsho: Chang Mariyoni, Maaclive Phiri, Nkosilathi Moyo, Spar Dube, Rodrick Mufudza, Zimiseleni Moyo, Ayanda Ncube (Nkosana Siwela 79th min) , Collins Dhuwa, Nixon Gama (Denford Chirwa 79th min), Blessing Sibanda (Nicholas Mundandishe 65th min) , Thandolwenkosi Ncube

Unused: Paul Ngwenya, Trust Nyabinde, Xolani Ndlovu, Godwin Saungweme

Caps United: Edmore Sibanda, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Valentine Musarurwa, Devon Chafa, Dennis Daudi, Moses Muchenje, Phineas Bamusi, Joel Ngodzo (Amon Kambanje 90 + 7 mins), Simba Nhivi, Dominic Chungwa (Kudzai Nyamupfukudza88th min) Stephen Makatuka

Unused subs: Jorum Muchambo, Carlton Munzabwa, Cabby Kamhapa, Zvikomborero Biseki

Results:

Chapungu 1-0 Triangle United, Tsholotsho 0-1 Caps United, FC Platinum 1-1 Hwange, Harare City 2-0 ZPC Kariba, Ngezi Platinum Stars 2-1 Chicken Inn, Border Strikers FC 0-1 Bulawayo City FC