Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Mtulisi Mafa
6 September 2008
Harare — THE huge shadow of relegation continues to hover over Manchester Road after yet another frustrating afternoon for the pharmaceutical side in the capital that left coach Luke Masomere with a lot to ponder after the final whistle at Gwanzura yesterday.
The home side went in front after a perfect opener from Erea Phiri, but the Happy People restored the smile on their faces with Solomon Nyagwaya getting them back on level from the spot.
CAPS FC have been in dire straits for the better part of the season with relegation their major worry these days and they arrived for this duel on a rare Friday afternoon with a lot of hope.
Masomere's men embarked on a fruitful trip to the Midlands where they came off smelling of roses with a 2-1 victory over home side Chapungu last weekend. The victory lifted the spirits in their dressing room and there were high expectations that they could do the same as they got off to a fine start yesterday.
They showed great commitment and resilience with Chris Samakwere leading the way with a superb performance.
Lengthens survived early raids but had no answer after eight minutes when a swift attack by the home side found the defence at sea and Phiri did justice to bundle in the opener.
The Happy People were clearly not amused with the goal and almost hit back immediately but a Gilbert Mapemba header off a corner flew over.
Lengthens' probing reaped dividends in the 24th minute following a series of raids when Richard Mteki cut back a high ball from the right, only for Tawanda Muyendi to handle.
The visitors blew a glorious chance to race ahead when the home side goalkeeper Richard Mudimu came off his area and was beaten by the ball.
With the Lengthens bench jumping up in anticipation of a goal, Patrick Makuvaza's effort missed the target.
CAPS FC refused to be bullied by Lengthens and the handful of fans got a glimpse of sheer individual brilliance from Samakwere.
The man they call Maskiri picked up possession just after the centre, glided past the red shirts and it all looked entirely natural to him.
The young midfielder, having led enough red shirts in a heap, sent Vusumuzi Siziba clear with an audacious out-foot but the big striker made a mess of it as he poked recklessly wide.
Lengthens had a penalty claim waved away by the referee four minutes from time when a CAPS FC defender handled in the area and the day ended ended with yet another stalemate.
Masomere complained about the referee as he saw some injustices.
"It was a bad result for us but I'm worried about the referees. We are always complaining about them but nothing is being done.
"It's not fair that we spend the whole week preparing for these games only for someone to influence the result, that was a dubious penalty they were given."
Lengthens coach Collin Mahara ignored rumbling over bad decisions and pointed out that his players lacked match fitness due to the short break.
CAPS FC: R. Mudimu; P. Benard; C. Machona; E. Phiri; C. Samakwere; I. Mapuranga; T. Muyendi; B. Chimwamucheri; V. Siziba (T. Mwarura 78th minute); V. Nzombe (F. Dondo 78th minute).
Lengthens: M. Gonese; P. Gubudu (B. Tshuma 40th minute); B. Mapfumo; P. Makuvaza; R. Mteki; N. Khanye; T. Muparati; G. Mapemba (A. Nyamiwa 78th minute); T. Nyamadzawo; R. Sengu.
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