The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga in MHONDORO-NGEZI
Ngezi Platinum Stars . . …………………. . . . . . . . (2) 2
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………………. . . . . . (1) 2
CAPS United showed their battling qualities when they twice fought their way back to deny Benjani Mwaruwari his second Castle Lager Premier Soccer League home victory.
The platinum miners had seemed to have set themselves on the path to victory at their Baobab fortress when taking the lead at the break.
But Lloyd Chitembwe’s Green Machine dug deep to force a draw.
Arial Makopa put the hosts in front after 17 minutes before CAPS United leading marksman William Manondo levelled matters three minutes later. It was Manondo’s 12th goal of the season. Ex-Triangle player Delic Mulimba had Baobab Stadium celebrating when he restored Ngezi Platinum’s lead in the 25th minute.
Ngezi seemed to be holding on for much of the second period by weathering pressure from CAPS United.
That was not until Thulani Joseph struck 10 minutes from time to ensure there would be a share of the spoils.
Mwaruwari bemoaned the team’s failure to win at home.
“It is worrying that we are not winning at home. Teams should come and lose points and we should be getting maximum points.
“Unfortunately, that has not been happening with me. Maybe that is something we need to fight for going forward,’’ he said.
Although the former Manchester City striker had been hoping that his charges would quickly rebound from the loss they suffered at the National Sports Stadium last weekend when Herentals handed them a 3-0 hiding, he was nonetheless happy with their performance yesterday.
“We played so well today. I am happy that the guys managed to pick themselves from last week’s defeat and it was unfortunate that we failed to get maximum points, but, overall, I was happy with the performance,’’ he said.
Chitembwe felt the manner in which his team applied themselves could have helped CAPS United end their winless streak at Baobab.
“The result could have been better for us if we had managed our defensive situations better and I feel that the second goal could been avoided were it not for over-elaboration.
“I think it was a well-deserved result for us,” said Chitembwe.
“The guys showed some resolve, especially in the second half, and to be honest I am happy with the fighting spirit that the guys showed, and it is something we need to have going forward.”
Elsewhere, ZPC Kariba burst the Cranborne Bullets bubble when they edged the army side 1-0 at Nyamhunga Stadium.
The soldiers arrived in Kariba on a high after upstaging Dynamos 1-0 at Vengere last Saturday.
On their part, ZPC Kariba had been restricted to a draw by Triangle at Gibbo.
The electricity men are in a desperate fight against relegation.
Results:
ZPC Kariba 1-0 Cranborne Bullets
Bulawayo City 1-0 Tenax
Ngezi Platinum 2-2 Caps United
Harare City 1-0 Triangle United
WhaWha 2-1 Highlanders
Manica Diamonds 1-1 Herentals
