CAPS United, Yadah Stars settle for draw in Chibuku Super Cup opener

HARARE – CAPS United made amends for a poor first half display to force a two-all draw against Yadah Stars in a Chibuku Super Cup group 1 match.

United were made to pay after putting up a sloppy show in the first half in which they lacked purpose and structure. 

Yadah Stars scored the first goal in the 16th minute through Prosper Kafelapanjila who benefited from a United defensive blunder soon after they lost talisman Valentine Musarurwa. 

Musarurwa picked an ankle injury and will probably be out for a few weeks. 

The first goal came after the Miracle Boys as Yadah are often referred to had missed a glitch of clear chances in the 5th and 12th minute with Bhinzi the main culprit. 

CAPS United woke up from slumber and could have scored the equalizer  in the 21st minute but Blessing Sarupinda shot off target. 

Former Harare City forward Ishmael Wadi who made his debut for the Green Machine was the next to miss a clear chance with his effort being denied by the post. 

When it appeared as if CAPS United were slowly getting into the game, another miracle happened with Yadah benefiting from a defensive blunder to go 2-0 up at half time through Tinotenda Mutyambizi. 

Second half started with CAPS United on the offensive and a Phenius Bhamusi cross met Wadi who headed home his first goal in the 46th minute. 

The goal by the Green Machine seemed to have unsettled Yadah and it was only a matter of when they were going to concede a second goal. 

CAPS United continued to probe their opponents and were rewarded for the efforts through an exquisite goal by Wadi again in the 67th minute. 

The game finally ended two-all as both teams failed to find the winning goal during the last minutes. 

Yadah Stars coach Genesis Mangombe was disappointed with the result after his team failed to hold on to the lead. 

“We lost concentration, maybe because one of our players pulled an injury and failed to raise the game so they capitalised on that one. 

“They introduced a new striker, so they used two centre forwards but our defence especially the other centre back wasn’t sure as to clear the ball or whatever he was doing I don’t know. But at this level we don’t need to concede silly goals like this. 

“It’s been long since we played competitive football but this is a fair result for us. We have somewhere to start from and I am going to build the confidence that we end the game after 90 minutes plus injury time,” said Mangombe. 

CAPS United coach Darlington Dodo sang praise to man-of-the-match Ishmael Wadi for an improved second half performance. 

“First game but I am not very impressed. It’s good we have managed to come back from a two-nill defeat in the first half and coming up with a draw. It’s not something that we really wanted but it’s very unfortunate that is the situation. 

“If you look at how we conceded the goals, it was mistakes which were easy to defend than to concede. And if you look at how many chances we created and failed to convert, yes it was the first game but there are some things that we have to do when we have the opportunity to do that. 

“But I’m happy for the boys, they showed great character in terms of how much we imposed ourselves in the second half. Ishmael Wadi did well that’s his job as a striker to go there and make sure they score goals,” said Dodo. 

Results: 

Bulawayo City FC 0-2 Chicken Inn FC

Whawha FC 0-6 FC Platinum

Caps United FC 2-2 Yadah FC

Tenax FC 1-4 Black Rhinos FC