HARARE – CAPS United‘s impressive winning streak was brought to an end when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Cranborne Bullets in a Castle Lager Premiership match at the National Sports Stadium.
The draw, against a team that had been struggling at the bottom of the league, comes as CAPS United’s coach Lloyd Chitembwe voiced concerns about the fatigue setting in among his players due to a packed fixtures schedule.
The encounter saw Cranborne Bullets take an early lead with a 15th-minute strike by Prince Mutasa.
Makepekepe, who have been on an excellent run recently, managed to level the score just before half-time, courtesy of utility man Joseph Thulani.
Despite the draw, which put a halt to CAPS United’s three-game winning streak, they have managed to break into the top eight of the league standings.
For much of the season’s second half, they had been flirting with the possibility of relegation.
Chitembwe attributed his team’s performance to the grueling schedule they’ve endured in recent weeks.
“In a space of about 13 days, we have played four to five matches, including traveling,” he noted.
The accumulated fatigue from playing and traveling extensively seemed to affect his players’ performance.
CAPS United survival chances
The draw, while not ideal, was important for CAPS United as they aim to secure their position in the league.
It’s clear that they are making an effort to regain their form after a challenging season.
In contrast, Cranborne Bullets, who have recently changed coaches, are facing a tough battle against relegation, and this draw might not be enough to improve their situation.
The match was closely contested, with clear-cut scoring opportunities remaining scarce.
Despite the early goal from Cranborne Bullets, the Green Machine enjoyed more possession throughout the game. However, they struggled to create clear opportunities to secure a win.
The fatigue factor is becoming more pronounced in the league due to the tight schedule, and teams like CAPS United are not immune to its effects.
As the season progresses, these physical and mental challenges become even more critical in determining a team’s success.
CAPS United will be looking to bounce back and continue their climb up the league standings, while Cranborne Bullets face an uphill battle to escape the threat of relegation under the guidance of their new coach.
