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Grace Chingoma Sports Reporter
CAPS United . . .  (0) 2

ZPC Kariba . . . . .(1) 2

(ZPC Kariba won 4-1after penalties)

VETERAN coach Sunday “Mhofu’’ Chidzambwa finally found a way to win for ZPC Kariba with the under-pressure gaffer needing the luck in the penalty shoot-out lottery in a see-saw Chibuku Super Cup first round tie at Rufaro yesterday.

Chidzambwa had failed to win in the league matches that he has been in charge of ZPC Kariba and pressure was mounting on the history-making former Warriors and Dynamos mentor.

Despite public assurances from the club’s executive that his job was still safe following a four-match winless run in the league since taking over the reins in July, sources close to the side revealed yesterday that Chidzambwa was in fact sitting on a two-match ultimatum, which included yesterday’s cup tie and next weekend’s Premiership assignment against Dynamos.

Ironically, both matches are at Rufaro, the venue where Chidzambwa made his name as a player and later coach, and yesterday he passed the first test as his charges took the lead, conceded two quick goals in the second period then found the equaliser right at the end of four minutes of time added on.

Chidzambwa will now return to Rufaro to face Dynamos with a lot of pressure having been taken off his shoulders.

Although ZPC Kariba were clinical in the penalties, they had defender Stephen Sheshe to thank for snatching a late, late equaliser when it appeared all hope had been lost.

CAPS United, who had already begun popping the champagne bottles, had come from a goal down in the first half to draw level through striker Leonard Tsipa, who scored from the spot in the 52nd minute and newboy and defender Justice Jangano, who got his first goal for the Green Machine eight minutes later.

Former CAPS United man Leonard Fiyado had punished his ex- paymasters when he directed his free header past an exposed Chris Mverechena after 35 minutes, finishing off a fine move involving the outstanding Raphael Manuvire.

Despite drawing CAPS United level from the spot and being handed the captain’s armband after skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi hobbled off at the break, Tsipa turned villain when he needlessly got himself expelled for a crude tackle on Denis Dauda.

Manuvire was the architect of the goal that sent the teams into penalties when he cleverly teed up Sheshe to blast home from a crowded box.

Once it was penalties time, it became a ZPC Kariba show from the onset.

CAPS United defensive midfielder Dominic Mukandi took the first penalty for his side but watched in agony as ZPC goalkeeper and captain Tendai Hove saved his effort.

Manuvire took the first ZPC Kariba kick, sending Mverechena the wrong way and the visitors continued to find the target with returning ZPC striker Limited Chikafa, Dauda and Sheshe all getting it right.

CAPS United defender Stephen Makatuka converted for his side but with Jangano also missing there were all smiles at last for Chidzambwa.

Chidzambwa said they had also anticipated the possibility of the game being decided by penalties and had polished that aspect of their game but acknowledged that they also rode their luck.

“I thought we had a brilliant first half and CAPS United had a good second half where they scored two goals and then we were lucky to get the equaliser.

“When preparing for a cup game you have to train for penalties. We were working on the team slowly and it is coming up now,” Chidzambwa said.

The victory was also a birthday present for seasoned defender Thomas Sweswe, who made his ZPC debut in yesterday’s match and partnered George Magariro and Dauda in the heart of defence.

Sweswe, who has previously seen duty with Dynamos, Highlanders and Mwana Africa as well as South African sides Kaizer Chiefs, Manning Ranger, Bidvest Wits and Black Leopards turned 34 yesterday.

But it was Sheshe who was over the moon after finding the ZPC Kariba equaliser with the last kick of regulation time.

“We kept fighting until we scored in the last minute but composure helped us and we had one touches until I scored. In the first half we failed to convert the chances we got but in the second half we came back and won. We are playing well and only failing to score goals,” Sheshe said.

CAPS United coach Mark Mathe refused to blame the expulsion of forward Tsipa for the defeat and believes the team just lacked a strong character needed during the penalty lottery.

“We worked on the penalties during training but what matters is tenacity and character on match day. We should have buried the match in the regulation time and we should have taken the game to bed in the last minute.

“But overall I am happy as we were tactically good but were lacking in concentration levels,” Mathe said. Tsipa was sent off in the 62nd minute for dangerous play on Dauda but to his credit he apologised to the reigning Soccer Star of the Year as well as his coach and teammates for his rash move which was a major turning point of CAPS United’s game.

Teams:

CAPS United: C. Mverechena, V. Musarurwa, M. Mwenya (C. Munzwabwa, 85th minute), J. Jangano, S. Makatuka, D. Mukandi, H. Zvirekwi (T. Mahori, 46th minute), P. Bamusi, G. Mangani (G. Nyirenda, 70th minute), D. Chungwa, L. Tsipa.

ZPC Kariba: T. Hove, S. Sheshe, D. Phiri (. Madamombe, 72nd minute), G. Magariro (P. Tafirenyika, 72nd minute), T. Sweswe, D. Dauda, T. Magorimbo, P. Kabwe, R. Manuvire, L. Fiyado, L. Chikafa.