Zimpapers Logo

Oscar Rusenga in TRIANGLE
Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . .. (0) 2

CAPS United . . .  . . . . . . (0) 1

TRIANGLE coach Taurai Mangwiro described his team’s upset Castle Lager Premier Soccer League victory over CAPS United at Gibbo yesterday as “a perfect birthday present from the players”.

Mangwiro whose side have had a slow start to the season, turned on the power over the 2016 champions with Nhamo Lameck grabbing a late goal to break hearts of Makepekepe faithful.

The former CAPS United and Harare City coach turned 48 yesterday.

“The players worked very well against a well-organised CAPS United. It’s a sweet win for us as it was not an easy match.

“It’s a perfect birthday present for me from my boys and I can’t ask for more. They worked very hard against a well-organised team, we need to be dominant at home and work very hard when playing away,” Mangwiro said.

It is the third time that Lameck has struck late in a match for Triangle with the diminutive striker having previously found crucial goals against ZPC Kariba and Yadah Stars as the Sugar Sugar Boys registered their third straight win.

Triangle’s third successive win is in stark contrast to the manner in which they started the season which had seen pressure building up on Mangwiro after indifferent performances in their opening three games.

Trevor Mavhunga had thrust Triangle into the lead in the 52nd minute before Joel Ngodzo restored parity for CAPS United seven minutes from time scoring from the penalty spot.

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe felt his side could have at least come out of Gibbo with something had they been more careful with their defending in the final stages of the game.

It was CAPS United’s first defeat of the season, but Chitembwe insisted he was happy with the way his team had applied themselves in the second period.

“ . . . not really disappointed with the performance, we played good football in the second half. We did come strongly in the second half, we could have done far much better in the second goal in our defending.

“We are still within our targets, we have a long season. We need to train hard and correct some few mistakes, but the application from the players was good,” Chitembwe said.

Triangle started the match on fire as they tried to unsettle their more fancied opponents with an early goal.

CAPS United goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba who was in top form kept his side in the match after saving a ferocious shot from Lameck.

The home side continued probing the CAPS United defence and Chigumba was again called into action after saving Arnold Chivheya’s well taken shot in the 19th minute.

Chitembwe was forced into making an injury-inspired substitution in the 35th minute after bringing on Praise Tonha for John Zhuwawo.

CAPS United were also left cursing their lucky stars a minute before half-time when Brian Muzondiwa’s shot was saved by Marion Chang with the visitors fans off their seats.

Just seven minutes into the match the hosts found their breakthrough when they took the lead through defensive midfielder Mavhunga who headed home a corner from Russel Madamombe.

Mavhunga, however, had a head injury in the process and was immediately substituted after the goal for Tendai Huwa.

CAPS United seemed to have been jolted into more offensive mood after conceding the goal and forced four successive corners inside the 66th minute as they sought a quick response.

The visitors seemed to have claimed a point on the road when Ngodzo drew them level, but Lameck dashed all that with his winner.

Teams:

Triangle: C. Mariyoni, D Phiri, A Chivheya, K. Chigwida, D. Dzvinyai, T. Mavhunga (Tendai Huwa 52nd minute), A. Chiwandire, P. Magegedla (C. Denias 70th minute), R. Madamombe, P. Bhamusi, L. Nhamo

CAPS UNITED: P. Chigumba, C. Munzwabwa, V. Musarurwa, D. Dauda, S. Makatuka, K. Nyamupfukudza, B. Muzondiwa, S. Nhivi, J. Ngodzo, J. Zhuwawu (P. Tonha 36th minute),C. Abasirim (P. Moyo 57th minute)