Wilson Chipangura, Guest Reporter
HARARE – Harare City magician William Manondo scored his 27th goal in Chibuku Super Cup in a highly entertaining draw against giants CAPS United.
In a match of high stacks, a lot was expected from the two sides and while the result reflect otherwise, the overall performance was electric.
Harare City started on the front foot and could have found the goal in the 3rd minute but Emmanuel Mandiranga was brought down by Munyaradzi Nyenye in the box only for match official Pedzisai Chadya to wave it off.
CAPS United got their chance in the 24th minute after Ishamel Wadi ran through the wing before releasing a pass for Bhelakasi whose effort was off target.
Another chance for Harare City came minutes later with Marshal Machazane Wadi was pulled down in the box almost 37 minutes into the game but the referee had none of it.
Half time it was all square in the highly entertaining affair.
Second half started with United introducing left back Blessing Mpofu for Kunyarimwe.
Manondo put the Sunshine Boys ahead in the 58th minute after a wonderful play by Tumba whose squaring pass found the man who is nicknamed ‘Mr Chibuku’ for his never ending goals in the tournament.
The match continued to be a Harare City affair for the next five minutes as CAPS United failed to find the rhythm and could have conceded a second one had Emmanuel Mandiranga kept his cool.
CAPS United were gifted another chance in 65th minute but captain Ronald Chitiyo had his shot blocked by a defender.
Ishmael Wadi then restored parity in the 72nd minute by heading home a wonderful cross from Balakasi for his third goal in as many matches. Green Machine coach Darlington Dodo was happy with the point gained but rued missed chances.
“In terms of coming back, I am happy with how we respond but I am not happy with allowing the opponents to lead us first then we respond.
“We have to make sure we take our chances because we created chances, some one-on-one situations were we could have finished the game. If we can only take those chances in then it will be a thing of the past for us to draw,” said Dodo.
Dodo also praised lethal forward Ishmael Wadi, a former Harare City player who is proving to be the messiah for the Green Machine this season.
“I am happy for the boy, he is a hard worker. Ishmael is doing almost everything in training. He is working very hard, he inspires the rest of the group because he wants to do things which is good. And the rest of the guys they know the talent in him, they know what he has got. If we utilise him more, he is going to score as much as we want.
“Referees are a team on their own, we don’t have to dwell much on their performance because we don’t have control over them. What we can try to do is to have control over our teams, that’s what we have control over,” said Dodo.
Harare City coach Lloyd Chitembwe was satisfied with the response of his charges from a below par performance last against ZPC Kariba.
“I thought we had a very good performance from the boys. I am sure there is so much improvement from the last performance and a very good things that I observed today.
“Some of the things that I saw today are the things that we usually do in training and for a coach to see things in a real match situations, things that they do in training is quite satisfying and I am very happy.
“There are one or two situations that I thought could have gone our way and could have changed the result of the match. A penalty call, one or two, I thought where I was sitting with a little bit of luck we could have got a goal, unfortunately some of these things hey happen in football.
“What do you do as a coach? Just take it, happy with the performance of the boys and hope to rectify mistakes and continue to work hard.
“I want to believe the group is not won yet. There is no team that has won the group, we still in there, CAPS [United], ZPC [Kariba], Dynamos.
“Probably Yadah might find it difficult but we all have everything to play for and this is the reason why I am just saying, we just have to go back to work on a few things that we hope will give us an edge going to the next round of matches,” said Chitembwe.
Chibuku Super Cup Results:
Chicken Inn 0-0 Highlanders
Ngezi Platinum Stars 3-0 Whawha FC
CAPS United 1-1 Harare City
ZPC Kariba 0-0 Herentals
Tenax 2-1 Manica Diamonds
