THE red carpet was rolled out for Caps United at Rufaro Stadium yesterday as they collected their biggest cheque so far this season after the ABC Sup8r Soccer final, but Lengthens were crying "daylight robbery".

Caps were feted like kings and champagne was popped for the first time in a Cup final on the domestic stage. The domestic league has rarely witnessed top-drawer choreography by sponsors, although the afternoon was spoiled on the field of play by Bulawayo-based referee, Thabani Mkanjo.

Makepekepe are smiling all the way to the bank with a bounty of $2 345 billion. The boys-in-green also received artistic silverware, which will add colour to their trophy cabinet.

Lengthens were rewarded with $977 million for sweating against a determined Caps, which was spearheaded by Tendai Gwata.

Dynamos reject Gwata shone like a beacon all afternoon, and was voted man-of-the-match. His prize money is yet to be decided because of "inflationary pressures".

Lengthens were their worst enemies yesterday as Caps drew first blood as early as the sixth minute. Goalkeeper Ephraim Mazarura should take all the flak for the goal, as he did not react when skipper Limited Chikafa headed home from a free-kick by George Karimupfumbi.

Caps Utd won a free-kick yards away from the Happy People's box, following a foul. Karimupfumbi whipped the ball into the box and Chikafa rose above the backline of Ndumiso Khanye, Arnold Chivheya and Ronald Sengu to head home. Mazarura did not move an inch from his goal line as the ball nestled into the nets.

Caps Utd's second goal was pure magic, as Eddie Mashiri and Gwata exchanged passes in the box, before Mashiri fired home in the 59th minute.

Lengthens pulled one back in the 80th minute through a penalty taken by Tendai Nyamadzawo. It was not the best of penalties, as the Caps United goalie read the kick and reached for it but in vain. Nyamadzawo is not the best of spot-kick takers, but the decision to award him the penalty kick was tactical; he was fighting for the Golden Boot award with Caps Utd's Raaquib Milanzi, who failed to score yesterday. The Harare club disc jockey won the award after scoring three goals in the tournament, while Milanzi netted two.

The match was played at an electric pace but Lengthens were kept in check during the first 45 minutes. The impressive Method Mwanjali kept the normally lethal striker, Richard Mteki under lock and key.

Lengthens picked up their rhythm in the second half and threatened to overrun their much-fancied opponents. Jostein Mathuthu, who collected his winner's medal as a coach said "my dream is yet to be accomplished".

"We played well, we were all over Lengthens. . . our conversion was, however, pathetic. I can understand that. Nyasha (Mushekwi) is not an experienced player and was also coming from injury," Mathuthu said.

Lengthens coach Bigboy Mawiwi was livid over the penalty which his boys were denied.

"It's daylight robbery. The referee was just pathetic. He denied us a clear penalty," Mawiwi said.

Caps United... (1) 2

Lengthens ... (0) 1