CAPS United in crisis

ZPC Kariba  1 - 0 CAPS United
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe was for the second successive match conspicuous by his absence in the dugout as the Harare giants' title charge suffered yet another major blow after a loss to ZPC Kariba in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match played at Nyamhunga Stadium yesterday.

Chitembwe, who won the championship with the side in 2016, is reportedly pushing for a move away from Makepekepe after reportedly falling out with one of the club's directors and vice-president Nhamo Tutisani over team selection.

Angry CAPS United supporters invaded the pitch at the final whistle baying for Tutisani's blood, who they accuse of being behind Chitembwe's absence and the subsequent poor form of the team.

Chitembwe missed the team's last league match against TelOne last month and did not attend any of the team's training sessions in the lead-up to the resumption of the league programme after the two-week break.

In his absence, technical advisor Nelson Matongorere has been taking charge of the team and the veteran coach was in the dugout yet again yesterday.

Makepekepe, who have now failed to register a win in their last four matches, fell courtesy of a 67th minute goal by Nigel Makumbe as alarm bells must now be ringing in the Harare giants' camp after a promising start to the season.

With the defeat they are now four points behind log leaders and defending champions FC Platinum, who secured all three points against Manica Diamonds courtesy of a solitary goal by Cameroonian Albert Eonde.

CAPS United could have taken the lead with just eight minutes on the clock in the tightly-contested match, but John Zhuwau's shot was saved by Future Sibanda in goals for ZPC Kariba.

With action swinging from one end to the other, ZPC Kariba almost broke the deadlock two minutes later, but Samuel Makawa, who was a handful for the CAPS defence all afternoon, failed to finish off flowing counter attack.

The home side ended the first half strongly, but Collen Muleya's header was saved by Tonderai Mateyaunga as the two teams went to the break with the scoreline goalless.

The decisive moment of the match arrived in the 67th minute when Makumbe received a square ball from Talent Chamboko before dribbling past the CAPS defence and releasing a shot from the edge of the box to put his side in front.

Chamboko could have doubled the lead for the home side, but his rising shot went over the bar.

Makepekepe had a last-gasp opportunity to grab a late equaliser, but Sibanda stood firm in the hosts' goal to brilliantly save striker Dominic Chungwa's volley.

"The most important thing was to get the three points, but otherwise we actually didn't play free- flowing, fluid football. It was very difficult for us and I think it can be attributed to the break we had. We had almost three weeks where we were inactive; all the same I'm happy because we made a follow-up after we drew against Rhinos in Harare," he said.

CAPS United stand-in coach Matongorere was unable to give the post-match interview after the club's angry fans invaded the field of play.

Castle Lager Premier Soccer League results and fixtures:

Yesterday: Ngezi Platinum Stars 1-1 Highlanders, ZPC Kariba 1-0 CAPS United, FC Platinum 1-0 Manica Diamonds, Chicken Inn 3-1 Mushowani Stars, Herentals 0-2 Triangle United, Yadah FC 0-0 Black Rhinos.

Today: Hwange v Bulawayo Chiefs (Colliery), TelOne v Harare City (Luveve), Dynamos v Chapungu (Rufaro)