CAPS United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2) 3

Chapungu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

CAPS United got off to a flying start, as demanded by their coach Lloyd Chitembwe, with an impressive show that buried the demons of last season, when they lost back-to-back matches against Chapungu, with the Green Machine making a huge statement at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

The four-time league champions, who last won the league championship 11 years ago, opened this campaign with a comprehensive victory over the airmen in a Castle Lager Premiership tie in pouring rain at the giant stadium.

On a weekend when their bitter rivals Dynamos were hammered 0-3 by champions Chicken Inn, the victory at the National Sports Stadium yesterday provided the CAPS United fans with a lot to cheer their spirits as they sang in the pouring rain.

Chitembwe said the win was just a reflection of the quality and depth in his team this year.

The gaffer was pleased with the perfect start to the season after first half strikes from midfielders Joel Ngodzo and Tafadzwa Rusike and a flashing header by Moses Muchenje, in the 80th minute, capped a fine day for the Green Machine.

CAPS United got off to a slow start with the visitors dictating the proceedings but, once they got into the groove, Makepekepe stamped their authority with two goals inside four minutes to all but end this tie as a contest.

Chitembwe believes they can achieve more this year should they continue to work hard and demanded that his men remain focussed.

“In as far as the result is concerned we are very happy. The result is just reminding us of the things that we are likely to achieve if we continue working hard and if we give as much effort as we possibly can,” said Chitembwe.

“You cannot count out the quality that we have in the team but we just need to be reminded that to grind results, week in work out, we just have to work hard and this probably is a good start.

“This is only the first game of the season and if they can give us what they gave us today there is every good chance for them to give us probably more than they gave us today.

“The reason why the team performed the way they did today has to be attributed to the fact that we have very good players.”

Chitembwe said they needed to dig very deep, for the result, against a side that has a tendency of raising their game whenever they face Makepekepe and arrived for this contest inspired by their double victory over the Green Machine last year.

“There is no team that can dominate for the entire 90 minutes and in this game, Chapungu made it difficult for us, especially in the first quarter of the match,” said Chitembwe.

Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino conceded defeat and said their opponents had a clear game plan.

“We lost to a better side. CAPS United played better than us in terms of utilising the chances that came their way,” said Nyikadzino.

“We dominated play in the first 20 minutes and got quite a number of chances but we failed to utilise them and when CAPS United were in control of the game they utilised their chances and managed to punish us. There was a lapse of concentration.

“However, it is the first game of the season and we are looking forward to the next game against Hwange. We want to play better than we did and come up with maximum points.

“Those two goals in the first half turned the game against us. We are going to pick ourselves up, prepare and work on the mistakes we made today.”

The visitors quickly settled yesterday and frustrated their hosts for long periods.

They could have been rewarded just after half an hour but Gift Phiri’s long-range strike just missed the target.

CAPS United settled into their rhythm and striker Dominic Chungwa just failed to push them into the lead.

The Green Machine took the lead when midfielder Ngodzo’s shot hit the bar and slammed into the back of Roy Mazingi’s back before rolling home.

Three minutes later, Chungwa turned provider when his cross was met by Rusike and the former Ajax Cape Town midfielder scored his first goal in his second spell at the Green Machine, coming in from the back post to power the ball home.

Chapungu tried to creep back into the game but could not breach CAPS United’s defence which, in the second half, welcomed the return of skipper Method Mwanjali back into the team as he came off the bench.

Muchenje then ensured that there would be no comeback for the visitors by heading home a cross from Ronald Pfumbidzai with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Teams

CAPS United: J. Muchambo, H. Zvirekwi, R. Pfumbidzai, J. Jangano, S. Makatuka, K. Nyamupfukudza, M. Muchenje, P. Bamusi, T. Rusike (M. Mwanjali 81st min), J. Ngodzo, D. Chungwa.

Chapungu: R. Mazingi, J. Mukombwe, H. Mugoniwa, B. Zabula, B. Mbavarira, Gift Phiri, N. Murisa, C. Kapupurika (M. Mavuto 56th min), N. Ncube, R. Mhlanga (A. Peperere 46th min), A. Tavarwisa (P. Kumbula 56th min).