Mutare — EXPERIENCE finally prevailed over enthusiasm when Eastern Region Division One log leaders Highway finally fell to CAPS United in a CBZ FA Cup quarter-final replay before a full house at Sakubva yesterday.

The teams drew 1-1 in the first match before a power cut just before the penalties, but yesterday, CAPS United showed they were a class ahead when they humbled the flamboyant side at home.

CAPS United will now meet holders Dynamos in a potentially explosive semi-final showdown.

Goals by Method Mwanjali in the 70th minute and David Kutyauripo in the 85th minute were all that separated the two teams at the end of the day.

The hosts dominated the match, missed chance after chance, but experience won the match when CAPS United just converted two of the few chances that came their way.

Mwanjali opened the scoring sheet when he headed a cross from Kutyauripo before the Warriors right back made the game safe for Makepekepe five minutes from time.

In scoring CAPS United's second goal, Kutyauripo nodded home past Highway goalkeeper Britto Gwere from a goalmouth scramble.

Highway, who had spurned chance after chance from the first whistle, failed to recover after the first goal and their players appeared to panic after CAPS United found the breakthrough.

The Premiership side then took advantage and began piling on the pressure with Oscar Machapa and substitute Nyasha Mushekwi featuring prominently.

Highyway's substitutions did not help their cause either.

Coach Lloyd Mutasa hauled off influential midfielder Willard Katsande who is gifted with pace and body for Tapfumaneyi Gwerewezha and the hosts lost their grip in the crucial midfield department.

As early as the seventh minute, the hosts were on the hunt but Romeo Kabesha blazed his effort over the bar.

Highway soaked everything that CAPS United threw at them while Emmanuel Sinaputa and Katsande created opportunities, which their front-runners failed to utilise.

After the breather, Tofireyi Sambo's free header missed the target and as the chances went begging, the visitors often caught Highway on the break and were eventually rewarded when Mwanjali broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.

CAPS United coach Jostein Mathuthu who has already guided his side to the ABC Sup8r Cup was naturally happy to have finally overcome the Highway hurdle.

"We failed to deal with long balls because we are not used to them. But the big problem was the pitch, which is not conducive for football. But I am happy we finally won.

"They are a good side with a number of former Premiership players and are doing very well in Division One and we wish them well in their quest for promotion.

"Everybody is now looking forward to the derby (against Dynamos), I think it will be an interesting match," said Mathuthu.

Mutasa blamed the wasted chances for his team's loss.

"The game was very much balanced, CAPS United utilised their chances while we failed to take our chances," said Mutasa.

Highway...................................................................0 CAPS United......................................................(0) 2

Teams

Highway: B. Gwere, H. Makukutu, T. Makukutu (E. Sinaputa 69th min), A, Kandengwa, P. Alifasi, R. Kabesha, A. Chikohomero (M. Bingadadi 79th min), S. Chitsamba, T. Sambo, E. Sinaputa, W. Katsande (T. Gwerewezhe 79th min).

CAPS United: E. Sibanda, D. Kutyauripo, M. Mwanjali, B. Mazorodze, N. Mukumbi, O. Machapa, R. Milanzi (N. Mushekwi 56th min), L. Mtizwa, G. Karimupfumbi, A. Mangodza (T. Gwata 33rd minute) N. Mahosi (L. Chikafa 79th min).