Chaotic Caps booted out
ZIMBABWE Lady Cheetahs’ skipper Charity Mucucuti has challenged her charges to show more aggression when the team returns to the park for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup Women’s Seven Tournament today. The hosts survived an early scare during yesterday’s opening day, when they were mauled by neighbors South Africa in the tourney opener before ruthlessly demolishing Namibia and Senegal to qualify for the last four.
Zimbabwe fell 7-24 to South Africa in their opening game but showed great character as they dispatched Namibia 31-0 before rounding off their group campaign with an equally impressive 22-0 victory over Senegal.
The hosts will now meet Kenya in the semi-finals and skipper Mucucuti has challenged her teammates to come out with guns plans.
“In the larger scheme of things, I think the girls played well and put up a good fight,” she said.
“What you need to understand is that we have a very young team with most of these girls playing their very first international tournament. Jitters are to be expected and they were there for all to see during the first match against South Caps United . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1 Tsholotsho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) 1
(Tsholotsho progress 5-4 on penalties) THE Caps United camp exploded again over unpaid salaries and the club paid the price as they were dumped out of the Chibuku Super Cup at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.
Kick off was delayed by over 35 minutes as Makepekepe players refused to take to the park until they were paid their outstanding salaries.
The stand-off turned ugly as some Caps United fans tried to storm the team bus and beat up the players whom they accused of lacking loyalty.
“These boys are big headed, they are now making a habit of bringing the name of the team into disrepute and its high team we teach them a lesson or two,” an irate fan could be heard saying as tempers flared.
However, the police stood firm and after some lengthy talks, Lloyd Chitembwe’s charges finally agreed to step onto the park.
But they never looked to be in it and Africa.“Unfortunately, we no longer have that luxury as the finals are a different ball game. The girls, especially the younger ones, need to up their game and show a lot of aggression when we play Kenya.”
In the first match, South Africa got fell behind with just 19 minutes on the clock as Bruno Madanhira beat Edmore Sibanda in goals for the hosts from close range.
Sibanda was stretchered off the pitch on 36 minutes with an injury and in came Jorum Muchambo.
Makepekepe looked a much better lot in the second half and restored parity on 75 minutes through left back Ronald Pfumbidzai.
Pfumbidzai used his celebration to send a message to wish his mom a speedy recovery.
The left back almost grabbed the winner in the 90th minute, but was denied by the impressive Tsholotsho goalkeeper Nickel Marichi.
Penalties were needed and the visitors scored all of their five kicks through Nicholas Mundandishe, Mostafa Ponyera, Madanhire, Trust Nyabinde and MacClive Phiri.
Hardlife Zvirekwi was the villain for Makepekepe, missing his team’s first penalty before Pfumbidzai, Joel Ngodzo, Devon Chafa and Dennis Dauda converted. on the board through tries from Rennie McCarthy, Jackie Kriel and a hat trick from fly-half Zenay Jordan.
Jordan also chipped in with the boot, making two conversions.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, could only muster a try
Tsholotsho coach Lizwe Sweswe revealed that his team is fancying its chances in this competition.
He also rubbished suggestions that his team benefitted from the chaos rocking the Caps United camp.
“We all have problems so we can’t blame that (for their defeat) because if they had problems they would not have come to the ground. They came, meaning they were prepared to play.
“The difference was that we came out with a plan on how to contain them, our target is to reach the finals and win this competition,” he said.
Caps United coach Chitembwe side stepped the media and left assistant coach Mark Mathe to field the questions.
“We were slow off the blocks, I thought in the second half we changed the form, made tactical changes and got back into the game hence we equalised.
“We could have gone on to win the game but Tsholotsho defended well,” said Mathe who refused to comment on the pre-match drama.
Caps United: E Sibanda(J Muchambo 36th), H Zvirekwi, R Pfumbidzai,
for we knew he would score. We now wait for the quarter final draw and just to clear things up, please note we are not chasing a double because we are not yet in the Chibuku final,” said Mapeza.
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino said his team will not focus on finishing the season in a respectable position.
“I would like to congratulate FC Platinum for qualifying for the quarter finals. I will not comment on the two penalties because it is the referees’ job to officiate and they are qualified to do so,” he said.
Teams
FC Platinum: P Mhari, K Moyo, E Moyo, G Bello, I Nekati, W Mhango, W Kamudyariwa(R Chinyengetere 79th ),G Takwara,B Muzondiwa(C Sibanda 66th ),H Bakacheza(I Wadi 85th ),W Musona Chapungu: R Mazingi, J Mabugu(P Marufu 50th ),C Mativenga, B Mbavarira, B Zabula, M Muchangami, C Kwaramba, J Mukombwe, A Peperere,X Ncube(T Mangwendere 87th ),A Tavarwisa(A Marime 50th ) — and a conversion from Carol Malenga and Precious Marange respectively and will need to improve if they entertain any chances of defeating a Kenyan outfit which easily won its group.Action continues this morning at Morris Depot Police Grounds. S Makatuka, D Dauda, D Chafa, K Nyamupfukudza, P Bamusi, S Nhivi, J Ngodzo, A Kambanje (Musarurwa 86th)
Tsholotsholo: N Marichi, T Nyabinde, N Moyo, G Magariro, Z Moyo, B Madanhire, O Ncube(N Mundandishe 87th), M Ponyera, S Dube, M Phiri, N Gama (R Mufudza 81st),