CAPS United………………………….. 1 (1)
Dynamos………………………………..1 (1)
THERE was a share of spoils as CAPS United and Dynamos played out to a one-all draw in the Chibuku Super Cup Harare derby at the National Sports Stadium this afternoon.
CAPS United went ahead for the first in this year’s Chibuku Super Cup courtesy of an own goal by Dynamos right-back Emmanuel Jalai after 41 minutes in a desperate attempt to clear Ishmael Wadi’s goal-bound effort from the right flank.
This was also the first time Dynamos had conceded a goal so far in this tournament after four rounds of matches. Dynamos, however, crawled back into the game with a Barnabas Mushunje’s free-kick that deflected off a CAPS United wall beating Tonderai Mateyaunga, who had committed himself to the left side.
The two teams went for the breather tied on 1-1, and there was nothing to separate them in the second half as the game ended in a one-all draw.
Dynamos remain top of the group with eight points, CAPS United are in second place with six points tied on points with third-placed Harare City.
DeMbare coach Tonderai Ndiraya was happy with his team’s performance.
“I was so happy with the response after conceding that goal. Naturally, when you go behind, you put yourself under unnecessary pressure, but I’m delighted with how we responded,” said Ndiraya.
“We were doing most of the things right today, but it was just that final pass that was eluding us…you can also see signs in terms of the players’ fitness that it’s not up there, but on the overall, I thought a draw was a fair result.”
Ndiraya was forced into making an injury-inspired substitution after his captain Partson Jaure slipped and fell in the tunnel as the players made their way back to the field after the break.
“We are lucky that he’s ok, I spoke to him a couple of minutes ago, and he says he’s fine. As a coach, you don’t want to be making uncalled for changes at the back. It was sad to lose our captain, but I’m happy that Sylvester Appiah stepped in and did well.”
CAPS United coach Darlington Dodo said a point is not a bad result in a Cup tournament.
“Today, we started well; defensively, we were organised, but upfront, we lacked that killer instinct. I think we should have scored as early as the fourth minute, but we were having a rush of blood and, in the end, rushing things unnecessarily,” Dodo said.
“But I think we did well, the Harare group predictably was the toughest group, and we had to show character, so I’m happy we are on the right track, but we just need to keep collecting as many points as possible so that we can make it to the next round.”
Meanwhile, at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, Ariel’s Sibanda’s 85th-minute penalty was enough to give Highlanders maximum points as the Bulawayo giants edged Bulawayo City 1-0 in another Chibuku Super Cup encounter. ZPC Kariba beat Yadah 1-0 in an early kick-off played at the National Sports Stadium.
