The Harare massacre!

CAPS United 4 - 0 Highlanders

Ishmael Thindwa, Nicholas Alifandika, Dumisani Ndlovu(own goal) and Kenneth Bulaji were on target for Caps United following the 4-0 thumping of Highlanders in the Castle Lager Premiership at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Thindwa scored for Caps United after a shoddy job by the defenders, failing to clear Steven Makatuka's shot inside the area. Thindwa grabbed the rebound, slotting home into the bottom corner of the net from just three yards. Alifandika added to the tally just five minutes later, heading home a Ronald Pfumbidzai 20 yard freekick. 21 minutes into the show, Dumisani Ndlovu, put the match beyond the visitors with a spectacular own goal, in a shoddy, desperate attempt to clear the ball just outside the area.

Ndlovu blundered, hitting the nets with a volley beyond his own goalie, effectively putting the match to bed. But it was forward, Kenneth Bulagi's four yard header, connecting with an in swinging cross from scorer, Ishmael Thindwa, from outside the area, which eventually killed the match.

The forward's jump above the centre backs was brisk, placing the ball in the bottom right corner of the net beyond the keeper as United completed a stunning revenge performance. United lost four nil to Highlanders at Barboufields in the first leg of the Premier League earlier this year. Yet the result may have been different had Highlanders not been denied what looked like a penalty when Gabriel Nyoni was seemingly fouled in the box eight minutes into the first half.

Highlanders were losing the midfield battle, with United midfielder, Tendai Samanja, bossing the middle of the park. Highlanders never recovered from failing to create clear cut chances. Close to halfway in the second half, former Caps United midfielder, Rahman Kutsanzira, came close to grabbing a consolation, but his shot from just inside the area was cleared off the line by an evidently in form Steven Makatuka.

In the final minutes of the second half, Ozias Zibande almost grabbed a consolation goal for the visitors, but his hard low shot from just outside the area went just inches off target as – to the relief, and surprise, of Mangwiro, and his fans.