LAST SUPPER? . . . CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro (right) receives his prize for winning the June Coach of the Month award from Delta Beverages marketing manager Patricia Murambinda at Rufaro yesterday
Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
CAPS United………………..0
How Mine…………………….0
TAURAI Mangwiro was on the brink last night, with all indications pointing to a breakdown of his marriage with CAPS United, after a rowdy section of the club’s supporters turned Rufaro into a mini war zone yesterday.
The fans had been incensed by their team’s inability to take the advantage to close in on the faltering teams at the top of the log in the championship race.
The Green Machine were held by How Mine and there was trouble after the match as Mangwiro had to be escorted off the pitch by the club’s security personnel while police fought running battles with missile-throwing hooligans who wanted to prevent the team bus from leaving the stadium.
This is not the first time the supporters have turned hostile against Mangwiro, and the coach last night hinted to The Herald that he had enough of the abuse and will seek an urgent meeting with the club’s bosses.
Mangwiro said the working environment was no longer conducive because of the lack of trust and the hostility from supporters who always see shadows because of his Dynamos background.
“It’s rather unfortunate things get to this point, where some people always find it convenient to blame the coach when the team doesn’t perform well. Such a blame game is not good at all,” said Mangwiro.
“The truth is we all want to win, but now when things happen this way the pressure goes down to affect everyone, including the players.
“Honestly, I don’t think the environment is conducive for one to work, with such hostility being directed at you. I think I may need to sit down with the leaders of the club to map the way forward.
“Things should not be allowed to go on like this. I have tried my best with this team but in football results don’t always go the way you want.
“Now, I find it especially disturbing when someone accuses me of not getting a result to do a favour to one of our rivals. It’s very unfortunate.”
CAPS United remained stuck in fourth place on the log standings after their strikers missed a handful of scoring opportunities to complete 540 minutes of action, in both League and Cup competitions, without finding the target.
Their highly emotional supporters felt they needed to win the match yesterday to shore up their championship campaign after bitter rivals Dynamos and Highlanders had dropped points on Saturday.
Log leaders DeMbare were held to a goalless draw at FC Platinum to move to 43 points while Highlanders lost 1-0 to Harare City.
Striker Dominic Chungwa had their first opportunity yesterday after Nicholas Alifandika sent in a through ball from the middle but the angle became narrow as he came face-to-face with impressive young goalkeeper Donovan Bernard with just three minutes played.
Honey Chimutimunzeve fluffed a clearer chance barely two minutes later when he lost his footing inside the box with the goalkeeper badly exposed after Alifandika had done well again and delivered a low cross from the left channel.
CAPS United were forced to do some serious defensive work on the other end as How Mine kept them busy through the industry of Wonder Sithole, Heritein Masuku and Caleb Masocha.
As the search for goals continued, the technical team changed personnel in the second half, bringing in Tongai Magwendere and Kelvin Bulaji.
“Very disappointing if I may put it across that way. Sometimes I understand where the ire of the fans is coming from. I thought we should have killed the game in the first half,” said Mangwiro.
“Clear, clear opportunities we had. Always difficult in the second half, we looked desperate. We were doing certain things hurriedly and it was a sign of desperation.
“I must say it’s another opportunity to close in on the opponents blown away. We really wanted to win it.
“I thought had we been more precise we still could have sneaked in. We have to fight on. It’s not like it’s the end of the world.
“It’s disappointing we couldn’t make up for the lost ground but there is still seven games to go. We just have to remain positive.
“To be honest with you, we have gone for five (league) matches without defeat and in those five matches we haven’t conceded any.
“I have tried all the personnel that I have, still we are failing to get the goal poacher and it’s disappointing. Go back and look at the personnel that we have in our ranks.
“Everyone has had their chance to play and it’s so disheartening if we fail to put away chances like we do. Against another opponent it could have turned out differently today.
“At FC Platinum we scored into our own nets and we lost. But in terms of creating opportunities we get more than the others.”
How Mine coach Luke Masomere was happy with the point gained as they moved two places up the ladder.
“How Mine is not safe, we all know. We are in the relegation zone but we are not going to be relegated. I have said this time and again, we are not going to be relegated,” said Masomere.
Teams
CAPS United: T. Dube, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, D. Chipala, G. Nyirenda, T. Samanja, M. Muchenje, G. Phiri, N. Alifandika (T. Magwendere, 72nd minute), H. Chimutimunzeve (T. Mahori, 50th minute), D. Chungwa (K. Bulaji, 60th minute)
How Mine: D. Bernard, M. Kadzola, T. Masuku (T. January, 67th minute), N. Mukumbi, N. Tachi, M. Mupera, L. Matawu, W. Sithole, H. Masuku (E. Muzanenhamo, 75th minute), C. Masocha, E. Mandiranga (K. Musharu, 52nd minute)