The Sunday Mail
Ishemunyoro Chingwere in ZVISHAVANE—
FC Platinum. . . 0
Caps United. . . 0
CAPS UNITED coach Lloyd Chitembwe yesterday hinted that he was considering walking out on the club amid growing pressure from a section of fans who believe that he is not good enough to lead the Green Machine. Despite their team being firmly perched among the leading pack in the 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League campaign, a militant section of Makepekepe fans are calling for Chitembwe’s axing.
Chitembwe sent tongues wagging last week when he missed training due to a headache, an excuse that made a good number of fans reckon that it was just a smokescreen.
And yesterday after watching his team hold FC Platinum to a draw at Mandava, the Makepekepe gaffer opened up. “There comes a point where you think maybe the good you are doing is not good enough for others,” Chitembwe said after the final whistle. “There are a lot of positives, the team is now in a better position than I found it. But let us not speculate, I am not saying I am leaving.
“What I am saying is if I leave, I will leave a happy man and if I make such a decision definitely it will be communicated to you.” Makepekepe created a number of chances which their strikers failed to convert while in some instances they found the FC Platinum defence resolute.
Former Dynamos man Devon Chafa played a blinder in the middle of the park on his debut for Caps United and one would have been forgiven for thinking that this was not his first game of the season. “I enjoyed the game after a long time on the sidelines,” said Chafa.
“It was a very painful period but I never lost hope. I will keep on working hard because I know it’s the only way I will return to the top.” FC Platinum thanked their lucky stars in the 42nd minute when an unmarked Leonard Tsipa headed over a fine cross from Simba Nhivi with goalkeeper Petros Mhari at his mercy .
The hosts seized the initiative early in the second half and could have grabbed the lead six minutes after restart but Walter Musona was denied point blank by Jorum Muchambo.
Muchambo has also come in for some stick over the past few weeks but yesterday, the veteran goalie proved his worth with a commanding show between the posts.
On the hour mark, Nhivi and Tsipa had a brilliant exchange which opened up the FC Platinum defence but the former shot wide. FC Platinum recovered and nearly scored after 72 minutes but Ishmael Wadi’s goal bound effort was cleared off the line. Pure Platinum Play have beaten Makepekepe only once in the league since their promotion in 2011 and their gaffer Norman Mapeza was content with the point.
“It was a game full of action, they had their chances and we had our own. I am happy with the point gained,” said Mapeza.
Teams:
FC Platinum: P. Mhari, I. Nekati, G. Bello, R. Sibanda, S. Shoko, W. Mhango, R. Chinyengetere, W. Kamudyariwa (G. Takwara 80), I. Wadi, M. Mudehwe (H. Bakacheza 89), W. Musona (B. Muzondiwa 73)
Caps United: J. Muchambo, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, J. Jangano, S. Makatuka, D. Chafa, J. Ngodzo (D. Chungwa), M. Muchenje, T. Rusike (P. Bhamusi 78), S. Nhivi, L. Tsipa (V. Musaruwa 92)
