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Curtworth Masango, Zimpapers Sport Hub

CAPS United …..(0) 1

TelOne………………. 0

Goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga emerged as the hero of the match with a last-minute penalty save to secure CAPS United maximum points in a 1-0 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League win over TelOne at Rufaro yesterday.

As a result of the penalty save, Jayden Bakari’s goal in the 13th minute was enough to secure maximum points.

Mateyaunga was brilliant the entire match, making crucial saves to keep his side in the game.

In the first-half, Mateyaunga produced two important saves to deny TelOne an equaliser.

Maliseba Nkosiyabo also came close to scoring, but Mateyaunga was alert and managed to parry the ball away.

Mateyaunga continued to showcase his goalkeeping prowess, denying Blessing Sibanda’s header in the 45th minute and making another crucial save in the 64th minute.

The game, which had several subplots, saw teenage midfielder Assan Ajida stealing show after being introduced as a second-half substitute, making a significant impact on the game.

In the dying minutes of the match, TelOne was awarded a penalty after a handball deep in added time. Veteran goalkeeper Chris Mverechena, who previously played for CAPS United, stepped up to take the penalty, but once again, Mateyaunga proved to be unbeatable, denying him with a brilliant save.

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe said it was a good match which they used to assess some of their fringe players.

“It was a good match. We wanted to observe certain things and in this match we wanted to observe something.

“We wanted to evaluate our fringe players who  have had less game time, playing the same way we have been doing and trying to win at the same time. “

Chitembwe was pleased by the performances of Mateyaunga labelling him as one of their important players in the squad.

“Tonde is always a very important player to us, but this season he has been hogged by many injuries and it was important for him to come at this moment and give us a well-deserved three points, it was a massive boost.

“The fringe players had to be assessed in a more pressurised condition and today’s game served that purpose and I am happy with the way they applied themselves,” he said.

On the other hand, TelOne coach Herbert ‘Jompano’ Maruva said he was disappointed with the result.

“The boys didn’t come to the party, they failed to express themselves and in the position we are we need to make sure that we focus on our next game against Arenel.

“We need to focus on finishing in the top 10 so we are trying to win all our remaining games,” he said.