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• CAPS United post first league win over Dynamos in SEVEN years

• After 2 576 days, about 368 weeks, Green Machine get it right

THE RACE IS ON . . . CAPS United veteran forward Leonard Tsipa (left) charges towards goal as Dynamos defender Elisha Muroiwa closely monitors his movement, during the Harare Derby at Rufaro yesterday which the Green Machine won

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
Dynamos ………………..…. 0

CAPS United …………… (0) 1

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe turned back the hands of time at Rufaro yesterday and hinted the Green Machine Class of 2016 could be on their way to greatness after they ended a seven-year search for a league victory over bitter rivals Dynamos.

Stocky forward Dominic Chungwa, who was on the Glamour Boys’ payroll this time last year, was the hero for Makepekepe when he fired home a 70th minute goal that ended CAPS United’s quest to get one over their biggest rivals.

Chungwa’s winner compounded DeMbare’s woes and probably left their Portuguese coach Paulo Jorge Silva jobless as he had failed to meet the targets of his three-match ultimatum.

Silva became the first Glamour Boys’ coach to lose to their eternal rivals, in more than half-a-dozen years, and although the DeMbare officials were not picking up their calls last night, it appears that this could be the end of the road for him.

Ecstatic Makepekepe fans yesterday waved him goodbye.

In sharp contrast, CAPS United’s Lloyd Chitembwe, ironically the last coach to beat DeMbare in the league on April 12 2009, remains unbeaten after four games as the Green Machine took over pole position in the championshp race yesterday.

The euphoria in the green half was almost palpable in the last quarter of the game as the mass of fans, who filled the City End terraces at Rufaro on a day of great expectations for Makepekepe, began to sense victory.

“Obviously, the feeling is good but it’s not about an individual. It’s about the team. I am happy for the boys, I am happy for the team and those supporters. It’s always good to see them happy like this,” said Chitembwe.

“It’s not about emotions, it’s about doing what you are supposed to do. We were very unfortunate in the other previous matches which we lost but at the end of the day, the boys showed great tenacity and we are happy with that.

“I am happy for the boys because, like I said, they showed great tenacity. It was never easy, Dynamos gave us a good fight. So we are enjoying this moment.”

Makepekepe are now top of the table with 10 points although their stay at the apex could be cut short today if FC Platinum get a point away at Ngezi Platinum Stars this afternoon.

CAPS came into the match on the back of another big win last week when they beat Harare City.

“Obviously, it brings about confidence and at the same time belief and who knows? We believe we can do well this season if we continue working as hard as we have been doing in these past weeks,” said Chitembwe.

“At the end of the day the difference for me was quality. When you look at our squad like when Archford (Gutu) came in he gave us another dimension and when Simba (Nhivi) also came in again he gave us another dimension. So the difference for me was quality.”

Chitembwe was brave enough to hand his trusted lieutenant Method Mwanjali a starting place despite his recent brush with the law.

DeMbare had the first real chance yesterday following a neat exchange between Rodreck Mutuma and rookie forward Kudzanayi Nyakasaka but the young striker made a poor decision to square the ball instead of shooting inside the box.

Young Brett Amidu was Dynamos’ best player on show and while Valentine Ndaba made a number of runs which could not be complemented by his teammates.

They had a good opportunity in the 67th minute when they got an indirect free-kick inside the penalty area after goalkeeper Joram Muchambo had handled a back pass but CAPS United put all men behind the ball, as Mushure blasted the set-piece into the wall.

The crucial moment came in the 70th minute when Chungwa pounced after Dynamos had failed to clear their lines from a corner kick.

Chungwa then had a header ruled out for offside, four minutes later, even though television replays showed that he was onside.

“I think we deserved this one. We worked very hard and we knew what was at the stake and the guys were really motivated.

“I actually give it to the team and all in all I just want to say thank you to God,” said Chungwa.

“I can’t explain the feeling right now. I am excited. I am very, very happy.

“In as far as I am concerned scoring goals is my duty.

“I have done my job and it’s even more special against Dynamos. It’s my first time to score against Dynamos and it’s my first time to win the derby.”

But it kept getting worse for Silva who was expelled from the bench by Kwekwe referee Munyaradzi Majoni in the dying moments of the game for his continued protests with the fourth official.

Silva yesterday remained defiant and told reporters he was going nowhere.

“Who gave me this (ultimatum)? If it’s the executive, so ask the executive. I don’t know anything about that. I am going to work tomorrow (today) because we have another game next Sunday,” said Silva.

“We lost the game because of a mistake. I want to say sorry to the supporters because we had wanted to give them the derby but it was not possible.

“My players did everything they could but CAPS United won.”

The game also marked the return of Evans Gwekwerere, for a third spell at DeMbare, and he had a chance to score when he robbed the ‘keeper but then saw his shot being cleared off the line.

Teams

Dynamos – T. Mukuruva, O. Mwerahari, O. Mushure, E. Muroiwa, S. Linyama, S. Alimenda, G. Murwira (M. Mambare, 45th minute), B. Amidu, V. Ndaba, R. Mutuma (E. Gwekwerere, 71st minute), K. Nyakasaka (D. Mukandi, 61st minute).

CAPS United – J. Muchambo, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, J. Jangano, S. Makatuka, M. Mwanjali, M. Muchenje (A. Gutu, 62nd minute), J. Ngodzo, P. Bhamusi (K. Nyamupfukudza, 77th minute), L. Tsipa (S. Nhivi, 46th minute), D. Chungwa.