The Sunday Mail

Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Caps United. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 3
Hwange. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
CAPS UNITED midfielder Joel Ngodzo played a starring role as his side powered into the semi finals of the NetOne Easycall Cup at the National Sports yesterday.

Caps United midfielder Joel Ngodzo shoots at goal under the challenge of Hwange’s Innocent Mucheneka in a Netone Easy Call cup quarter final match at the National Sports yesterday—Picture by Kudakwashe Hunda

Ngodzo scored Makepekepe’s second, provided an assist for Hardlife Zvirekwi’s stunner and had a hand in winning a second half penalty that was converted by captain Moses Muchenje.
The 26-year-old’s display was so good that the Makepekepe faithful showered him with money after the final whistle.
Caps United enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half, with Phineas Bamusi, Ngodzo and Dominic Mukandi impressive.
However, a combination of poor finishing and resolute defending by Hwange denied them the lead going into the breather.But the visitors would not hold on for long and were punished when Phakamani Dube fouled Bamusi just as he was about to pull the trigger.Bamusi had been set up by Ngodzo in the 54th minute. Muchenje took responsibility and thrust Caps into the lead.
Ngodzo doubled the advantage on the 74th minute, capitalising on a counter attack to beat an out drawn Takabva Mawaya in goals for Hwange from a tight angle.Bamusi and Ngodzo then combined brilliantly in the 78th minute to set up Zvirekwi who scored an early contender for goal of the tournament.
Zvirekwi sent the predominantly Caps United crowd into delirium with a rising pile drive hit on the run.
Hwange scored their consolation four minutes from regulation time through Aleck Marime who capitalised on Caps’ lapse in concentration with a well taken volley.
Makepekepe coach Lloyd Chitembwe was a happy man.
“I am happy for the boys. I knew the goals would eventually come from the way we were playing.
“There is nothing more satisfying for a coach than to see things we do at training being implemented in a game like we did today.
“All we want is consistency in the way we do things and I think it is slowly coming up,” said Chitembwe.
Hwange’s Nation Dube said he would not want to comment much lest he be punished, but from what he saw, the penalty awarded to Caps changed everything.
“The penalty changed everything. I can’t say what I would have wanted to say because I will be charged but the penalty shock led to the other two goals that we went on to concede,” said Dube.
Teams
Caps United: J Muchambo, Z Bizeki, J Jangano, C Munzabwa, S Makatuka, D Mukandi, M Muchenje, H Zvirekwi (K Nyamupfukudzwa 89th), P Bamusi (G Mangani 92nd), J Ngodzo (Tony 85th), D Chungwa
Hwange: T Mawaya, P Dube, D Boriwondo, G Ndlovu, M Mungadze, A Chuma, I Mucheneka (G Zulu 72nd), N Siyanchazi, R Chinyengetere, P Mpelele (C Muleya 52nd), A Marime

‘No easy call for Dynamos’

Langton Nyakwenda
EXPENSIVELY assembled How Mine have been extremely poor this season.
With a cast that includes former Dynamos star Devon Chafa, last season’s top scorer Kuda Musharu, 2013 Soccer Star of the Year Tawanda Muparati and seasoned players like Tapiwa Kumbuyani, Nyasha Mukumbi and Charles Sibanda, it is shocking how Chikurupati lost the plot.
They have not won in the league since July 27, a winless run that stretches over 11 matches and they now find themselves 11th on the log and still not safe from the chop with only three games to go.
This afternoon, they face Dynamos in an Easycall Cup quarterfinal at Rufaro, vowing that the league champions will not have it easy.
Chafa, who left DeMbare in January this year, says he does not regret the move and declares war on his former paymasters.
“I spent four good years at DeMbare and there is no way I can just forget about them. But as a football player you are loyal to where your bread is buttered,” said Chafa.
“This is a cup game and anything can happen. They beat us twice in the league by an identical score line (1-0) but this time we are coming to Harare to turn the tables.
“I do not regret moving to How Mine, even after such a below par season. Everything happens for a reason.”
The 24-year-old former Warriors linkman has recovered from a nagging knee injury that kept him on the sidelines during the first half of the season.
“That was a difficult period. Because of the knee injury the coach was a bit cautious with me, so he would play me one game, then rest me the following fixture.
“But now I have recovered and I have played consistently in the second half of the season,” said Chafa whose contract with How Mine lapses at the end of the year.
A move back to DeMbare, who have struggled with the defensive linkman position following Stephen Alimenda’s dip in form or a switch to a revived Caps United remain viable options.
“We can’t talk about December 31 today, we will cross the bridge when we get there,” said Chafa.
How Mine fired veteran gaffer Luke Masomere on September 17, replacing him with the less heralded Jeremiah Makota.
Makota has failed to turn the tide.
The Easycall Cup – whose winners pocket $80 000 – presents the gold miners with a final chance to land some silverware.
However, in Dynamos, they face a massive stumbling block as DeMbare are also determined to land the trophy after missing out on the Chibuku Cup and virtually out of the league race.
“It is going to be a dog eat dog affair at Rufaro, we are eyeing the Easycall Cup because we have a better chance in this tournament…all is in our hands.
“We have to do it for our supporters,” said DeMbare manager Richard Chihoro.
DeMbare could be without chief striker Roderick Mutuma pictured, who is nursing an ankle injury while utility player Obey Mwerahari is a long term casualty.
However, their defence has been boosted by the return of Sydney Linyama and Elisha Muroiwa who missed last weekend’s Harare Derby due to injury and suspension respectively.