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United fans turn on Masomere
THIN AIR: CAPS United's Tsungai Mudzamiri sprawls on
the ground, beaten by Gunners' third goal
By
Sports Reporter
ANGRY CAPS United fans barricaded Luke Masomere in the Gwanzura Stadium
dressing room close to an hour after United’s 3-2 capitulation
to Gunners in a league match on Sunday – their third defeat
in just over a week.
The coach was booed off the pitch after the game, and some fans gathered outside United’s dressing room, baying for his blood.
After a lengthy hold-up, dozens of riot police charged at the fans, and drove them in the direction of Machipisa Shopping Centre. In the confusion, Masomere made good his escape as he was bundled into an unidentified car which sped off from the scene.
Going into Sunday’s game, United had lost twice to Highlanders and Masvingo United with identical 1-0 defeats.
Also under pressure after the weekend league action was Lengthens coach, Moses Chunga, whose side were thumped 3-1 by Underhill on Saturday.
It took CAPS United just over a quarter of an hour to break the deadlock when Nyasha Mushekwi skipped a challenge from Trymore Mtisi and found the target. The premiership debutants fought back, and drew level two minutes before the break through Ramson Zhuwawo, who got at the end of a swift counter attack sponsored by the industrious Elton Mudzamisi.
Gunners’ delight doubled, and they should thank their lucky stars Thanks Tengwe had been introduced a minute earlier. The striker reacted first, deftly guiding the ball past United substitute Oscar Machapa before firing into the nets.
With an anxious crowd getting on the backs of the United players, the Green Machine was level when Heavens Chinyama’s fine delivery into the box was converted by Mushekwi for his second on 80 minutes.
But United failed to hold out for a point and conceded in injury time when referee Tendai Bwanya awarded the visitors a spot kick, adjudging Machapa to have fouled Tengwe. Witness Nyamutsaka converted.
And United’s troubles were not limited to the defeat. National team defender David Kutyauripo walked out of the team while the game was on, and stormed out of the stadium. There was no immediate explanation from the club.
The defender who has a well documented history of indiscipline, asked Masomere to haul him off when United were down 2-1. He walked out via the dressing rooms.
Masomere admitted trouble was in the horizon for United soon after the match: “I am not at all happy with the way we played. We still have a long way to go. A lot of things are happening in-house but we cannot divulge it to the public.”
And on Monday, he remained defiant in an interview with New Zimbabwe.com.
“I am still around, just a bad run,” he said.
CAPS operations director Farai Jere also stood by his coach, blaming Kutyauripo for posturing.
MANY THANKS:
Gunners' Thanks Tengwe picks up money thrown at him by Dynamos fans
who were rooting for the minnows against bitter rivals CAPS
“Kutyauripo’s behaviour was unbecoming and unacceptable,” Jere said. “We are a big institution and there is a better way of addressing issues. You see these youngsters don’t know how to react in some situations. We are going to sit down to see what action we are going to take against him. Masomere is still a CAPS coach.”
Chunga’s ambitious Lengthens were sliding down further at the bottom of the table after a 3-1 mauling by Underhill, testing the patience of the club’s rich directors who have set lofty targets for the former Dynamos player.
Leaders Chapungu continued their fine run as they beat Shooting Stars 2-1 in Harare on Saturday.
The match was engulfed by controversy right at the death when referee Tichaona Chapfika awarded Shooting Stars a last minute penalty – their second of the game -- with Chapungu leading 2-1. Chapfika wrongly judged that defender Givemore Hlangabeza had handled in the box. TV replays showed it was in fact Stars’ Pride Tafirenyika who handled.
Elvis Meleka took the spot kick, sending Chapungu goalie Edmore Sibanda the wrong way. But perhaps realising the mistake after a strong Chapungu protest, the referee ordered a retake because of an apparent encroachment into the box by Stars players before the spot kick was taken. Meleka failed to convert the second attempt; the ball crashing against the woodwork before bouncing back into play for Chapungu to clear.
Veteran former Warriors winger Maxwell Dube scored Chapungu’s opener from a free kick in the 53rd minute and Stars drew level from the spot. Dumisani Mupfudze handled in the box and Elliot Matsika took responsibility, sending Edmore Sibanda the wrong way.
Chapungu were back in the lead five minutes before the end when substitute Francis Kanda drove towards Phillip Nhete’s goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot. Then Chapfika rolled out his circus which could have had significant implications for early season the pace setters.
Former leaders Kiglon, their fairytale start to the season now on reverse, drew 0-0 with Caps FC at Chibuku Stadium.
Morman Mapeza’s Monomotapa edged Lancashire Steel 3-2 at Dzivarasekwa Stadium for only their second win of the season.
CBZ Premier Soccer League Results:
Masvingo 1-0 Eastern Lions; Gunners 3-2 CAPS United
Confederations
Cup:
El Merreikh (Sudan) 3-1 Highlanders (Zimbabwe)
(El Merreikh win 5-1 on aggregate)
Saturday:
Njube Sundowns 3-0 Motor Action, Underhill 3-1 Lengthens, Kiglon 0-0
CAPS FC, Monomotapa 3-2 Lancashire Steel, Shooting Stars 1-2 Chapungu
Africa
Champions League:
Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) 0-1 Dynamos (Zimbabwe)
(Dynamos win 2-0 on aggregate)
CBZ Premier Soccer League Table (12 May 2008)
TEAM
|
Played |
Won |
Drew |
Lost |
G/F |
G/A |
Points |
|
| 1 | Chapungu | 7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
15 |
2 |
17 |
| 2 | Kiglon | 7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
6 |
14 |
| 3 | Motor Action | 7 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
7 |
13 |
| 4 | CAPS FC | 7 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
| 5 | Gunners | 6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
9 |
6 |
10 |
| 6 | Highlanders | 5 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
| 7 | Njube Sundowns | 6 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
| 8 | CAPS United | 7 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
8 |
| 9 | Lengthens | 7 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
11 |
8 |
| 10 | Dynamos | 5 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
7 |
| 11 | Underhill | 7 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
9 |
14 |
7 |
| 12 | Shooting Stars | 7 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
11 |
7 |
| 13 | Monomotapa | 6 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
6 |
| 14 | Masvingo United | 6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
| 15 | Eastern Lions | 6 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
| 16 | Lancashire Steel | 6 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
8 |
13 |
4 |
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