CAPS United………..0
Hwange …………….0
CAPS United was held to a goalless draw by Hwange in a drab Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Hwange players set the tone for the dull encounter by employing delaying tactics from the first whistle and never changed their approach up to the end of the match.
CAPS United created a few meaningful chances which they, however, failed to utilise.
Hwange goalkeeper, Nedrick Madeya, rose up to the task each time CAPS United asked questions.
He easily dealt with striker William Manondo’s free header in the 53rd minute.
Adrian Sila was denied by the cross bar in the 90th minute before Rodwell Chinyengeterere placed the rebound wide.
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was satisfied with his team’s performance, saying he wasn’t worried about the lack of goals from his forwards as it is a team effort.
“It was a good performance and we can’t take away anything from the team. I am extremely happy with the performance of the guys.
“I have always said it takes the whole team to score and it also takes the whole team to defend. If you don’t score, it’s the whole team that hasn’t scored, as it is a team effort.
“As I have said before, I am happy with the team. It’s a super team,” he said.
His Hwange counterpart Nation Dube said a draw with CAPS United means a lot as his side was coming from two consecutive defeats.
“A draw against CAPS United means a lot for us. Our game plan worked. We told the guys that we are going into the pitch with a point each as it will be nil-all and if no one scores we share the points.
“We are coming from two defeats and we couldn’t afford another defeat. I don’t think we were delaying. We were working to get the ball.
“On the chances they got, I think we just went on to sleep,” said Dube.
Bosso’s Brito cries foul
Baltemar Brito – Libertino
Highlanders……………………………………………..0
Simba Bhora……………………………………………..0
Highlanders coach Baltemar Brito has accused match officials of targeting his team following their draw against Simba Bhora in yesterday’s Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Barbourfields Stadium.
Brito was unhappy with a decision to disallow a Highlanders goal for offside and also felt Simba Bhora goalkeeper Simbarashe Chinani should have been shown a red card for handball outside the box.
Brito also cited other incidents, including the cancellation of their match against Dynamos and the ban of Bata Stadium where they played against Sheasham, as evidence of officials being unfair to Highlanders.
The PSL could take action against Brito for his comments if it feels his comments bring the game into disrepute.
But Brito hailed Simba Bhora for playing some good football before a satisfactory crowd.
He was, however, irked by the 79th decision to deny disallow Lynoth Chikuhwa’s goal by Zulu, who adjudged that the striker was offside.
Brito was also not amused that goalkeeper Chinani escaped without caution in the 39th minute when he appeared to use his hands to block Godfrey Makaruse’s chip outside the box.
“We want to say congratulations to Simba. They came to play without delaying tactics and showed that this kind of football is what fans want. It’s a great show to watch. They’re not in a good place on the table, but we need to clap hands for them because they wanted to play good football.
“We know that we’re playing against other circumstances because if you look, we had the Dynamos game cancelled, secondly, against Sheasham we played at a stadium that was banned less than a week later. Thirdly, the referee; there was no offside, he waved away appeals for a penalty and did not add any extra time.
“We’re playing against the system. So, we will try to do our best because we’re warriors and warriors always fight to the last minute. If they don’t like Highlanders, they should say so,” said Brito.
Simba Bhora coach Tonderai Ndiraya was happy with a point against Bosso.
“If you look where we are coming from, I’ll be honest with you that we came here to play for a draw. It was a hard-fought point and kudos to the boys. This point is certainly a confidence booster for the boys,” said Ndiraya.
Credit : H METRO
