Under fire Caps United coach Mark Mathe gets emotional

Flame Lily 0 - 1 Caps United
DOMINIC CHUNGWA might have saved under fire coach Mark Mathe's job after scoring deep into injury time to secure victory over Flame Lily for a stuttering Green Machine at Lafarge in Harare yesterday.

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, a result that could have worsened Mathe's situation at Caps, Chungwa pounced on a Leonard Tsipa cross to stab home in the 92nd minute.

Mathe, who is sitting on a two-match ultimatum, celebrated as if he had won the league title.

"We had to fight for our coach, we are a united team and we work for each other. Well done to all the boys," said Chungwa after the final whistle.

At the end of the match an animated Mathe punched the air before he ran straight to the VIP section where board members Modecai Sachikonye and Abraham Kawadza were and gave them emotional hugs.

Speculation was rife Mathe would have been shown the door by club president Farai Jere had he lost yesterday's game.

But the former Highlanders coach survived - at least for now.

Record-breaking coach Kallisto Pasuwa and Moses "Bambo" Chunga are some of the names being linked with the Caps United job.

Chunga, who enjoys a cordial relationship with Caps United owner Jere, did not dismiss the link yesterday although he insisted no tangible offer had come from Makepekepe.

"I am always linked to every football institution in Zimbabwe. The other time it was FC Platinum, then How Mine and the Warriors. I have heard people talk about a return to Dynamos and now it is Caps United that is Bambo for you. Anyway, we will see what happens," said Chunga.

Amid all the speculation, Mathe is talking tough.

"It is unfortunate people are talking about this ultimatum, I read about it in the Press and no one from the club's executive told me about it.

"But I must admit we desperately needed this victory, the fans are justified when they vent their anger on the coaches because they pay their hard earned cash to watch us play. Now we have to build on this victory and start collecting more points," he said.

Mathe has a chance to vanquish all doubts about his pedigree as Caps United host relegation candidates Tsholotsho and Dongo Sawmill in their next two matches.

Flame Lily coach Backlyfield Chiwenga, who had presided over five consecutive draws prior to yesterday's defeat, believes there is still time for his charges to pick up points and survive the chop.

"The pressure is there, yes, but there are more games to come. We just need to pick ourselves up," said Chiwenga, whose side could have destroyed Caps United had their strikers not left their scoring boots at home.

The game also saw former Dynamos striker Norman Maroto make a return to the Premiership as a second half substitute for Flame Lily.

Teams

Flame Lily: P Chigumba, G Phiri, B Chayambuka, J Mukondiwa, B Chandisaita, T Huwa, E Madhananga, P Chinyama, W Mukudo (M Demera, 75), M Chigora (N Maroto, 80), J Chivasa (W Muronda, 65)

Caps United: J Muchambo, D Mukandi, S Makatuka, J Jangano (C Munzabwa, 81), M Mwenya, G Nyirenda, M Muchenje (J Ngodzo, 69), P Bamusi (H Machisi, 56), D Chungwa, L Tsipa, G. Mangani

Yesterday's results
Chicken Inn 2-0 Chapungu
Harare City 2-0 Dongo Sawmill
Flame Lily 0-1 Caps United
Tsholotsho 0-2 Triangle
FC Platinum 2-0 Hwange


Today's fixtures
Dynamos v ZPC Kariba (Rufaro)
Whawha v Buffaloes (Ascot)
How Mine v Highlanders (BF)