The Sunday Mail
Patrick Chitumba in GWERU
WhaWha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1)
CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
PREMIERSHIP top scorer William Manondo grabbed his 13th goal of the season as he led a spirited comeback by CAPS United to win against WhaWha at Ascot Stadium yesterday.
CAPS had trailed the league’s basement side at the break before Manondo equalised in the 51st minute.
Clive Rupiya then found the winner for the 2016 champions.
Yet it was WhaWha who had threatened an upset when Butho Phiri thrust them into the lead after 15 minutes.
Phiri tapped the ball home from a cross whipped into the box by Evidence Mawanda.
Probably spurred on by their early goal, WhaWha seized control of the proceedings but they agonisingly took turns to waste opportunities that could have helped them extend their lead.
In that opening period, CAPS United were lethargic in defence.
Mawanda, Raymond Horonga and Calum English-Brown all came close in quick succession but failed to beat Tonderai Mateyaunga, who was left exposed in most instances.
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe then reorganised his defence by introducing Marshal Machazane for Lincoln Mangayira.
Moments later, Manondo scored the equaliser.
That was before substitute Rupiya sealed the win after 61 minutes.
The match was, however, halted for about 10 minutes as WhaWha protested what they felt was a genuine goal when Raymond Horonga’s well-taken effort from inside the box was overruled by referee Lawrence Zimondi, who was having a bad day in the office.
Horonga’s strike hit the under-side of the crossbar and appeared to have crossed the line on the bounce before being cleared back into play by Mateyaunga.
Assistant referee Piason Zvekuonera signalled for a goal but Zimondi overruled it.
With this result, WhaWha remain stuck at the basement of the log standings.
WhaWha coach Luke Petros was disappointed with how the match was handled.
“It’s such things that disadvantage teams that are fighting relegation.
“We tried hard but the goals we conceded were all questionable.
“It’s these kind of events that demoralise youngsters.
“This is the second time at home where we have gone to suffer the consequences of some decisions. It’s sad but we leave to fight another day,” Petros said
Chitembwe was pleased with the outcome.
He, however, admitted that his opponents were tactically superior.
“We played a team that is so motivated considering that they were winning at home and even picking points away.
“At the end of the day, we are satisfied with the result and we move on.
“If the ball hits the net, then it’s a goal but if it didn’t, then it’s probably not a goal.
“That’s my view of the game. These things happen in football.”
