Sportszone Staff rates the performances of the CAPS United players after their CAF preliminary round triumph over Lioli of Lesotho at the National Sports Stadium. 

Edmore Sibanda 8/10

The big goalkeeper was the difference between a CAPS United defeat and progressing to the next round of the competition. He came up with a number of telling saves that kept his team in the game especially in the first half when the defence was in disarray. Sibanda denied Lioli the second point blank after sloppy marking by Hardlife Zvirekwi on the right and from his dispatch, Ronald Chitiyo released Nhivi for the equaliser.

Hardlife Zvirekwi 5/10

The captain of the day was not really in the game. In fact Zvirekwi who was Mr Dependable last season culminating in him being named the soccer star was of the year 2016 was the avenue that Lioli orchestrated most of their attacks from in the first half.  Early in the second half, Zvirekwi failed to track down his opponent and had Sibanda to thank with a crucial save that denied the visitors a second goal which would have probably killed the match as a contest. However the coming in of Abbas Amidu in the second half provided him with some cover.

Ronald Pfumbidzai 7/10

Enterprising going forward especially in the first half, whipping a number of crosses that Simba Nhivi and Ronald Chitiyo failed to put away. His link up play with Phineas Bamusi on the left channel was also good.  Pfumbidzai was involved in the build-up for the second goal as he squared the ball to Nhivi whose shot was parried back into play by Lioli goalkeeper for Chitiyo to tap home. 

Justice Jangano 6/10

His central defensive pairing with Dennis Dauda was not steady in the first half. They failed to provide much cover for the goalkeeper leaving Sibanda to come off his line twice to narrow the angle and deny Lioli strikers. He however recovered in the second half.

Dennis Dauda 6/10

Just like Jangano, he was not really at his best in the first half but the good thing about him, he never lost his composure despite being under pressure and a goal down.  He was comfortable on the ball and could initiate attacks from the back.  But his partnership with Jangano improved in the second half as they frustrated Lioli especially towards the end of the match when the Lesotho side came in search of an equaliser.

Devon Chafa 6/10

Tried hard in the holding position but just like his team mates, he struggled to contain Lioli forwards in the first half.  But with the introduction of Abbas Amidu and Cabby Kamhapa in the second half, he got the much needed support and began to impose himself on the game.

Joel Ngodzo 3/10

Josta making a return to the staring 11 after missing out on the first leg due to an error on his birth record, a lot was expected from him to provide the drive in the midfield. But the midfielder was off colour as he struggled for the better part of the game until he paved way for Kamhapa who came in with some stability. He failed to link up play with the strike force nor could he link up well with Chafa.

Tafadzwa Rusike 3/10

“Fire” was not really in the game when he was expected to lighten up CAPS United attack. Rusike was a liability on the right channel, he failed to track back to help out Zvirekwi defensively. He was an early recipient of jeers and whistling from the CAPS United fans soon after Lioli scored. Lloyd Chitembwe relieved him by taking him off at halftime for Amidu who breathed life in CAPS United attack on the right channel.

Phineas Bamusi 6/10

Linked up well with Pfumbidzai on the left wing.   He provided some ray of hope on the wings for CAPS United in the first half. He was involved in the build up to the second goal when he turned his marker inside out wide on the left before releasing the ball to Pfumbidzai who squared to Nhivi. Bamusi however needs to improve on his crosses and shooting at goal.

Ronald Chitiyo 8/10

The best player on view for CAPS United. A toss for the man of the match will be between him and goalkeeper Sibanda but scoring the crucial winning goal gives him the edge. He dazzled on his first competitive game at home for CAPS United and endeared himself with the Makepekepe fans. He was threatening from the start, hitting the crossbar. But at times he was a bit over elaborate inside the box. But generally a good home debut for Rooney.

Simba Nhivi 7/10

His goal brought CAPS United back into the game and became the turning point. His telepathic understanding with Chitiyo was good and the two were involved in both goals. He however needs to work on his conversion rate especially with Leonard Tsipa not registered for the early stages of the competition. He wasted a number of clear cut chances in the first half.

Abbas Amidu 7/10

He was the game changer coming on as a replacement for the ineffective Rusike. He did not only add some impetus in the CAPS United attack but also provided some cover to Zvirekwi on the rigt side. With a bit of luck he could have registered his name on the score sheet towards the end of the match but his shot went wide.

Cabby Kamhapa 6/10

He came in for Joel Ngodzo to provide the stability at a time Lioli were trying to force their way into the game. He complemented Chafa in thwarting Lioli attacks when they upped the tempo in the last stages of the game, getting injured in the process but managed to soldier on until the end.