Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS UNITED have a new spark, and he needed just one touch to show it.
Alleny Mukombedzi came off the bench and struck with his first involvement, sealing a 2-0 win over Manica Diamonds at Rufaro yesterday as Makepekepe tightened their grip at the top.
The young forward didn’t need time to settle. He arrived, took the ball, slipped past his marker and rounded the goalkeeper before finishing from a tight angle.
Simple, sharp, decisive. Rufaro rose with him.
It was his third goal of the season, all coming as an impact player, and the feeling around him is growing.
CAPS had already done the hard work.
Chawanangwa Kaonga gave them the lead moments after the break, driving in a left-footed effort after shielding well inside the box. It had been coming. Makepekepe controlled long spells of the first half but couldn’t finish it off.
Kundai Benyu had the chance to put them ahead earlier from the spot after Takunda Benhura was brought down, but goalkeeper Joseph Kaunda read it well and kept Manica alive. Ishmael Wadi failed to convert the rebound.
That miss didn’t shake CAPS.
They stayed on the front foot. Benyu, Wadi and skipper Richard Hachiro dictated the tempo early, moving the ball with purpose against a Manica side still searching for their first win of the season.
But it needed a moment of clarity in front of goal, and Kaonga provided it just after the restart.
Mukombedzi then finished the job.
Introduced in the 64th minute, he made his move down the left and turned it into a goal within seconds. No hesitation. No panic. Just execution.
CAPS saw out the rest with control, knocking the ball around as the clock ran down, the home crowd enjoying the rhythm.
The only concern came late on when Davison Marowa limped off in tears with what looked like a groin problem.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi was more interested in the response from his side after last week’s defeat to Ngezi Platinum.
“First I want to thank God who gave us strength to make sure that today we can win,” said Chiragwi.
“Coming from a defeat last Thursday, it was also difficult. Within a few days of recovery, it was a double pain. Losing and also the load and the fatigue.
“But I would like to thank the boys very much because of their resilience and character. They showed character.”
Chiragwi rang the changes, making five alterations to his starting line-up, and the depth showed.
“Mostly those who came in, I think we made four changes in the starting eleven.
“They showed that they are there to make sure when they get the opportunity, they come and represent the club and give the positive results.
“At the end of the day, we also need to thank the supporters for coming with their numbers every day to make sure they believe in their team, that they can also give what they want.
“You can’t ask more from the players. But I think we deserve to win because we really wanted to win. You could see from the onset, we were in control of the game.
“We couldn’t find the back of the net, and we missed a penalty that we created in a very good combination play.
“But at the end of the day, we came back second half strongly, knowing that we really need to finish the game on a winning side. I want to thank the lads in the second half.
“They showed the same character and energy and made sure we can win the game. I think we are happy.”
CAPS stay top with 15 points from six games.
Dynamos are right behind them on 14 after their win at Simba Bhora.
It’s tight. And CAPS are holding their ground.
Manica Diamonds remain bottom with just a single point, but coach Tafadzwa Mashiri is not giving up.
“Obviously, we will turn the tables. Obviously, there is still hope. We have got a very good team, and we just need to believe in ourselves, and you know what, success breeds success, and the more we put up good performances, especially the one we put up against Chicken Inn, then if we can repeat that at home, then we can easily bounce back,” said Mashiri.
