Caps United . . . . . . . . . (1)1
Sheasham . . . . . . . . . . . . .0
RODWELL Chinyengetere's solitary strike helped former champions Caps United defeat Sheasham in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday to climb three points clear of the relegation zone.
The veteran striker glanced home a cross from the left past keeper Elton Sibanda after 17 minutes.
United's second victory on the trot, following another massive win over Hwange last week, lifted them to 10th position on the log standings with 33 points.
Their coach Lloyd Chitembwe admitted his team was desperately in need of this win to ease their relegation worries. Two more wins, and the Green Machine should be safe.
"It was a good game of football, and a game of two halves. We really dominated in the first half and created some very good chances. We really planned for it, some of the stuff that were coming out in the first half were typical training stuff and I'm extremely happy with the way we managed the game. In the second half, it was a bit different, and it was down to nervousness because we have never been in this situation so many times this season where we are leading and needed to hold on to that lead. But I'm happy with the way we managed to control those nervous moments. We desperately needed this result and I'm happy for the boys," he said.
Sheasham's defeat ended an unbeaten run of three matches after winning twice, leaving coach Lizwe Sweswe a disappointed man.
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The Gweru-based side are on 14th position with 30 points, just one rung above the relegation cut-off.
"It was a tough game, we didn't score, they scored, it's part of the game," Sweswe said. "We go back and rectify our mistakes. In the second half we were good and it was just that we were unlucky. We should have equalised or even win this game.
"What is important is to make sure that we keep this team in the premier league. I have that confidence that we will remain in the league because the team is good and we are playing very well."
The first half was at times fast and frantic, perhaps a reflection of both sides' need for a result.
It was the visitors who came the closest to an opener two minutes intoA the match, but Liberty Masveure dragged his shot straight at keeper Reyners from a good Hillary Bakacheza square pass. They were made to rue the missed chance, with former Soccer Star of the Year Chinyengetere showing Masveure how it’s done. He met a cross from the left with a glancing header past Sibanda, who didn't move an inch.
Caps had the chance to double the lead at the start of the second half, but William Manondo was a tad late to a Josiah Daka delivery.
Substitute Kuda Musharu failed to finish a good chance in a crowded box as Sheasham searched for an equaliser, with his effort blocked by a defender on the line.
With eight minutes remaining, Devon Chafa had the chance to kill off the contest when he was set up by Chinyengetere, but the unmarked midfielder inexplicably fired over with the goal gapping.
Caps will now have to quickly shift focus to another crucial match on Wednesday when they travel to Baobab Stadium to face Tonderai Ndiraya's Simba Bhora, while Sheasham host fellow relegation strugglers Triangle at Bata Stadium on the same day.
Teams
Caps United: A Reyners, E Manokore, I Zambezi, H Chapusha, L Mangayira, D Chafa, C Sithole (B Musaka, 75'), C Rupiya (J Daka, 46'), T Joseph, R Chinyengetere (J Ngodzo, 88'), W Manondo (W Manondo, 52').
Sheasham: E Sibanda, S Mhare (K Musharu, 46'), C Kwaramba, P Madhazi (K Matake, 67'), D Masukuta, L Masveure, W Stima, D Mangesi, R Useni, H Bakacheza, P Shoko
