Tsholotsho, Caps score one apiece
Tsholotsho FC 1-1 Caps United TSHOLOTSO FC needs a miracle to survive relegation from the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League after blowing a good opportunity to steal maximum points from a wasteful Caps United at Luveve Stadium yesterday.
Caps United enjoyed superior ball possession in the first half and should have killed the game in that stanza, but lack of potency in front of goal and some impressive saves by Tsholotsho goalkeeper Chang Mariyon kept the table anchors in the game.
The visitors made their intentions known as early as the eighth minute when striker John Zhuwawu’s effort forced a good save from Mariyon.
Two minutes later, Caps reaped rewards of their pressure when Ronald Pfumbidzai converted Phenias Bamusi’s pass.
Mariyon then produced the save of the day when he dived to his right to push out Devon Chafa’s shot for a corner in the 36th minute. Tsholotsho only woke up from their slumber towards the end of the first half and started knocking the ball around, as they tried to open up the Caps defence.
The miss of the day fell to Tsholotsho striker Nqobile Mpala, who chose to go for power instead of directing the ball into the net in the 75th minute after getting to the end of Edward Halungu’s shot that had been pushed into his path by Caps goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba.
Tsholotsho’s persistence finally paid off when Caps skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi handled Xolani “Lolo” Ndlovu’s cross inside the box and referee Lysias Dika pointed to the penalty spot.
Mariyon stepped up to send Chigumba the wrong way and earn Tsholotsho their ninth draw of the season.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted, but I’m happy we managed to fight back and get a draw. I think looking at how we managed to come back, we deserved a win, but you saw the striker (Nqobile Mpala) opting for power instead of accuracy.
“The good thing is that we are getting into scoring positions and we need to fight hard so that we get the wins that can help us survive relegation,” said Tsholotsho coach Darlington Dodo.
Caps’ assistant coach Mark Mathe said they paid dearly for failing to put the game beyond the reach of Tsholotsho FC in the first half.
“This is a game that we dominated from the beginning and we could have done better by taking our chances, especially in the first half. We should have found a cushion after getting our first goal because the game wasn’t safe,” said Mathe.