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POWERPLAY . . . CAPS United forward Leonard Fiyado (left) and Highlanders leftback Bruce Kangwa tussle for the ball during their Castle Lager Premiership tie at Barbourfields yesterday — (Picture by Paul Mundandi)

Sikhumbuzo Moyo in BULAWAYO
Highlanders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1

CAPS United coach Mark Harrison said he felt like a man who had just won the World Cup after guiding his team to a huge victory over Highlanders at Barbourfields, leaving the home side in turmoil, as angry fans demanded the sacking of gaffer Bongani Mafu.

The Englishman described his troops as “the best bunch of players I have worked with in the world” as he celebrated his finest hour after taking charge of a Green Machine that have been stalked by financial challenges this season.

Defender Stephen Makatuka scored the priceless goal, heading home a ball swung in from a corner, after Bosso ‘keeper Ariel Sibanda made a mess of his decision to cut the space from a tight angle.

With better precision, the Green Machine would have ended this game as a contest in the first half as they created a number of good chances, which they could not take.

“In the first half, we were superb, we should have been three nil, four nil up by half-time,” said Harrison.

“This is the best bunch of players I have worked with in the world. They are not getting paid, we are not getting paid, imagine what we could do should the situation become normal.

“The support I have been getting from the supporters has been unbelievable.

“I feel like I have won the World Cup.”

But while CAPS United were celebrating, Bosso were in turmoil as fans demanded the sacking of Mafu.

Yesterday the fans again besieged the club house and chairman Peter Dube, who rarely comes to the club house after matches, came and was met by angry supporters.

A fan was restrained by his friends as he tried to manhandle Dube, who was retained as club chairman unopposed, after his sole challenger Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda was disqualified by the electoral committee.

“We will soon begin to suspect that you are enjoying seeing us being humiliated at home like this. Our faith in your leadership is fading very fast and it’s either you fire Mafu or we will remove you from that post well before your tenure,” bellowed one fan.

The fans’ anger was further worsened by the club’s decision to increase gate charges that saw the rest of the ground tickets going for $5.

Mafu said his team just needed a goal.

“Goals keep on eluding us, we need to get goals. Confidence and composure is also needed on the part of our strikers when in front of goal,” he said.

Highlanders have scored just three goals in 630 minutes of league football this year.

Makepekepe were asking questions in the Highlanders half as early as the first minute after a defence-splitting pass by Malawian George Nyirenda saw Takudzwa Mahori breaking through but Bosso right back Webster Chingodza’s timely tackle saved the situation.

Two minutes later, Moses Muchenje, had a good chance and in the 25th minute, Makatuka’s header was blocked for a corner by Bruce Kangwa.

Gerald Phiri swung the ball into the area and Makatuka headed home on the back post for the goal that made all the difference.

Highlanders could have levelled matters two minutes later but Ozias Zibande skied his effort and Mafu then pulled out Valentine Ndaba for Rahman Gumbo but the move did not pay any dividends.

CAPS almost doubled their lead through a Mahori pile-driver in the 39th minute that was punched for a corner by Sibanda and then Leonard Fiyado, somehow, headed wide from close range.

After the break, defender Teenage Hadebe miscued the ball and it fell to Rodreck Mutuma and Sibanda left his goal and narrowed the angle to make a good save.

Four minutes from time, Kutsanzira could have, at least, stolen a draw but his goal-bound bullet could only hit a CAPS United defender.

The Green Machine held on for a deserved win.

TEAMS:

Highlanders: A. Sibanda, W. Chingodzo, F. Chindungwe, B. Kangwa, S. Munawa, V. Ndaba (R. Kutsanzira 31st min), N Masuku, T. Hadebe, O. Zibande (K. Nadolo 79th min), O. Tarumbwa, G. Nyoni (T. Chideu 62nd min)

CAPS United: C. Mverechena, H. Zvirekwi, G. Nyirenda, S. Makatuka, R. Matova, D. Mukandi, M. Muchenje, L. Fiyado (V. Musarurwa 71st min), R. Mutuma, T. Mahori (C. Machisa 82nd min), G. Phiri (L. Tsipa, 62nd min)