The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
FC Platinum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
A LOT has been said and written about Lloyd Chitembwe and Norman Mapeza’s frosty relationship, but after Caps United and FC Platinum slugged it out to a goalless draw at the National Sports Stadium yesterday, the two were left with no option but to admire each other’s projects.
The stalemate, which Mapeza described as a “golden point”, kept Pure Platinum Play on top with 38 points, two points clear of Makepekepe who will look back at the 51st minute when veteran striker Leonard Tsipa hit the crossbar with the goal yawning.
It was a battle of wits, a tactical warfare that could not produce a winner between arguably two of the finest coaches in the Premiership today.
Chitembwe and Mapeza grew up together in Chitungwiza’s suburb of Unit A, their houses only five minutes apart and they both burst onto the national scene with the now defunct Darryn T.
However, their relationship has not been one of the best, at least according to reports and last season the two had no time to shake hands when Caps United held a title chasing FC Platinum at Mandava.
In fact, three consecutive league matches between Chitembwe and Mapeza have now failed to produce either a winner or a hearty handshake between the two.
Or so the nation has been led to believe.
Mapeza found time to clarify his relationship with his homeboy after yesterday’s match.
“You see, a lot has been said about my relationship with Lloyd (Chitembwe), let me tell you something, Lloyd is my homeboy.
“We grew up together, near Chinembiri Primary School in Unit A, Chitungwiza. “He has always been my friend and brother.
“People can talk or write what they want, but I know and he knows the kind of relationship we have,” said Mapeza.
The two even embraced just before kick-off. The FC Platinum gaffer hailed Chitembwe’s transformation of Caps United who – for the first time in a decade – have a team that that has a genuine shout at the championship.
“I appreciate the work Chitembwe is doing at Caps; he has built a very good side and that is why they are where they are today.
“I am very happy with the point gained today, to me it is a golden point because we played a very good side today (yesterday),” said Mapeza.
Chitembwe thought his side had better chances to score but he also reciprocated Mapeza’s sentiments.
“The reason why FC Platinum are on top is because they are a very good team.
Today’s game was very tactical, we had a couple of good chances but we could not score.
“However, sensible people will not talk about the championship at this stage. There is everything to play for and even if FC Platinum had won the game still they wouldn’t talk about the title,” said Chitembwe.
Caps United striker Tsipa, back from a two-match ban, was the chief culprit as he wasted three glorious chances inside the first 20 minutes of the second half.
His worst moment, however, came in the 51st minute when he was teed up by skipper Moses Muchenje, with FC Platinum keeper Petros Mhari sprawling on the ground, but Tsipa somehow aimed his effort at the crossbar.
It was more difficult to miss than to score, as they would say.
A minute later, the dangerous Phineas Bamusi delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left but Tsipa headed wide.
The veteran striker was left cursing his luck once again in the 65th minute when he failed to tap in a hard and low cross from the right by Dominic Chungwa.
Makepekepe were dealt a major blow earlier on in the match when Dennis Dauda was stretchered off with a head injury in the 16th minute.
He was replaced by Justice Jangano and at that stage, FC Platinum dominated the proceedings with their neat passing game while Marshal Mudehwe tormented Ronald Pfumbidzai on the wing.
With proper decision-making in the final third, Pure Platinum Play could have found the back of the net in the first stanza.
The absence of Brian Muzondiwa and Walter Musona through injury was clearly evident.
The returning Charles Sibanda wandered across the pitch with no tangible effect while new boy William Stima did not do much when he came in for Mudehwe in the 76th minute.
Mapeza will hope that the duo of Muzondiwa and Musona return to full fitness sooner for the all important title push
Teams
Caps United: E. Sibanda, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, D. Dauda (J. Jangano 16), S. Makatuka, D. Chafa, M. Muchenje, P. Bamusi, S. Nhivi, L. Tsipa, D. Chungwa
FC Platinum: P. Mhari, I. Nekati, G. Bello, E. Moyo, K. Moyo, W. Mhango, R. Chinyengetere, N. Masuku, C. Sibanda, M. Kawashu, M. Mudehwe (W. Stima 76)
