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Munyaradzi Musiiwa in Gweru
Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 2
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
PRESSURE continued to mount on CAPS United yesterday when the Green Machine came a cropper against Chapungu despite battling hard at Ascot yesterday. CAPS United have been struggling for consistency and have been falling behind the chasing pack in the championship marathon. Yesterday they arrived here to face a Chapungu side that had gone nine matches without a win.

But the visitors could not pile more misery on the Gweru airmen who found their goals either side of the break from Phillip Marufu and Allan Tavariswa while CAPS United pulled one back via veteran forward Leonard Tsipa. It was Chapungu who dominated play in the early stages of the match and came close to scoring in the 12th minute when Hillary Mugoniwa’s corner curled into the top left corner but was cleared off the line by Carlton Munzambwa amid appeals by the hosts who felt the ball had gone beyond the line.

Waruwaru continued to probe their opponents from all flanks and almost opened their account after 15 minutes when an unmarked Tinei Chitora received a long pass from the back and failed to tap in from inside the box but his effort went over the bar with only the goalkeeper at mercy.

Chapungu then got their breakthrough in the 20th minute when Marufu got a long pass from the back before unleashing a thunderbolt from the right which whistled past CAPS United goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo into the top left corner igniting wild celebrations from the fans who were longing for positive results from the airmen.

CAPS could have pulled one back through Tsipa but his effort from a free-kick came off the cross bar. Chapungu then doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the interval after Mugoniwa who was in his best form flighted a cross into the box which fell into the path of Tavarwisa who then tapped in from close range.

The airmen were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute when Blessing Zabula was given marching orders by referee Masakadza Makonese after accumulating two yellow cards following a tough challenge on Phineas Bamusi. Makepekepe pulled one back in the 73 rd minute when former captain Hardlife Zvirekwi, who also put up a spirited performance, squared the ball for Tsipa who then fired home from the edge of the box.The win was a relief for Chaoungu coach John Nyikadzino.

“It was a sweet victory for us we needed the points more than CAPS United. Everything went according to plan and we hope that we will put up such a fantastic performance in all our remaining matches. We are aiming to finish in the top eight,” Nyokadzino said. CAPS United Coach Mark Mathe was naturally disappointed by the result and blamed his charges for failing to utilise the chances that came their way. “We did not come to the party in the first half they were more determined than us and we were punished in the end,” said Mathe. Some rowdy CAPS United fans, however blamed referee Makonese for the defeat and were not amused by the way he handled the match.