Caps United 1-1 Dynamos
And the Castle Premiership, which was supposed to witness top class football on Sunday along with a number of goals, eventually saw a share of the spoils after Dynamos failed to get one over the green half of the city, Caps United.
It took a 34 year-old Murape Murape 11 minutes to set the stadium alight with a rising shot from inside the box and it all seemed to be going according to script for the defending champions until a 20-year old, Gerald Phiri decided otherwise with a superb second half free kick in the 58th minute.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa had spent two weeks attending a coaching course with his Caps United counterpart Taurai Mangwiro. Both returned Sunday to lead their respective teams, but neither could find the winning formula.
Devon Chafa hit the upright after a cool lay off from Rodreck Mutuma. But a minute later, Mutuma and Ronald Chitiyo combined to set up Murape for the opener for Dynamos.
Pevington Zimunya’s free kick was tipped over by Dynamos goalkeeper Artwell Mukandi before Chafa hit the nets in the 30th minute only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
Ocean Mushure and Washington Pakamisa had further chances to increase Dynamos’ lead before the breather but they failed to convert.
In full voice ... Caps United supporters cheer theri team on Sunday
In the second half, Mangwiro brought in Phiri for Moses Muchenje and the Green Machine fans were celebrating after his entry as he scored with a stunning free kick.
Zimunya had another chance for Caps but shot horribly wide while Pakamisa and Mutuma also missed chances towards the end of the match and three minutes of added time did little to alter the scoreline.
With a week to go before the return leg, temperatures will be building up and the two teams will be aiming for a win to keep track of Highlanders who was three points clear at the top with 30 points.
Dynamos and Caps are on 27 points on the table - the same as second placed ZPC Kariba with Highlanders retaining top spot after beating Bantu Rovers 4-2.
Restoring party ... Gerald Phiri celebrates after scoring the equaliser for Caps United
“I still want to believe that we had a very good chance to get all the three points but we could not,” said the coach after the game.
“I thought we came back the stronger team in the second half and we created some scoring opportunities. Unfortunately the conversion was not there but at least we rescued a point and now we have a team that could fight to the bitter end.
“It’s unlike in the previous season where we could not find our way back into the game after succumbing to a goal. So I am happy to have got the point although I still feel that we could have got the three points.”
“Most of the times we were second to the ball and we should have to work on that. We are getting into the 18-yard box but we are missing so many chances,” he said.
“We have to go and do our homework. The fact that we came up with a draw, it’s okay to the team. We are still in the race. Maybe next time we will perform better.
“It’s a game of cancelling each other. They have seen our weaknesses and we have seen theirs as well. So we have to go back and work (hard).”
FULL RESULTS
Friday: ZPC Kariba 1-0 Chieckn Inn
Sunday: Caps United 1-1 Dynamos (NSS), Black Rhinos 1-0 How Mine (Rimuka), Buffaloes 1-0 Chiredzi (Chiredzi), Triangle 1-0 Chapungu (Chapungu), Highlanders 4-2 Bantu Rovers (BF)
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