• Lengthens plunge Highlanders into crisis • Monomotapa 7 points clear as rivals stall • ABC Holdings unveils new PSL tournament • Monomotapa go 5 points clear • Sadomba double lifts Dynamos to second • CBZ unveils US$200,000 CBZ FA Cup • Highlanders sack Methembe Ndlovu • Monomotapa stretch lead to 6 points • H'landers fined $30 trillion over abandoned match • Chikwaikwai leads race for Golden Boot • Barbourfields stalemate propels Monomotapa • Monomotapa cement lead, Highlanders stay in hunt • Dynamos, H'landers close in on Monomotapa • Monomotapa go top as Dynamos flounder • PSL fines Njube Sundowns $1 trillion • CBZ unveils $4,5 trillion league sponsorship deal • 2008 Premier Soccer League Fixtures

By Nkanyiso Moyo

Dynamos…………0
CAPS United…….1

CAPS United may be stabilising after a period of turmoil, but all pretences of a revival would never quite convince the club’s supporters until they beat fierce city rivals, Dynamos.

On Sunday, United did just that and their fans must now feel the rebuilding is well and truly underway.

Lulu Milanzi’s 16th minute goal was enough to ease United into the final of the ABC Sup8r Soccer Showdown. United will play the final against Lengthens, who beat Chapungu 2-0 in the other semi-final.

Although short on goals, the game had all the ingredients of a derby clash – passion, a red card, three yellow cards and a penalty.

Dynamos had the first clear sight of goal as early as the 5th minute when referee Tendai Bwanya awarded a spot kick for a foul on Edward Sadomba by George Karimupfumbi.

Sadomba stepped up but saw his effort pushed out for a corner by the outstanding Edmore Sibanda.

United rallied back after the early scare and took the lead through Milanzi’s close-range strike following a poorly defended corner. Willard Manyatera got a touch on the ball, but he was beaten by the sheer power of the strike.

After the early penalty decision against them, United’s luck turned for the worst on 25 minutes when midfielder Ashley Rambanapasi was shown a straight red for a foul on Sadomba. The protests from the United bench were spirited, and anger poured from the terraces from the disbelieving United fans.

Disadvantaged, United refused to be vanquished and they very nearly extended their lead on the half hour when Oscar Machapa’s effort struck the upright.

United then endured a stern test of their character as they hung on for a massive win over their city rivals who have dominated meetings between the two sides for the last two years.

In the other semi-final, Lengthens beat Chapungu 2-0 through a double by Tendai Nyamadzawo.

Dynamos coach David Mandigora reflected on lost opportunities after the game.

"That penalty could have changed things for us and put CAPS under pressure. I am disappointed that we missed out on the final,” he said.

CAPS United coach Joisten Mathuthu saw the win as confirmation that United are now in shape to fight for titles.

“It was a good game,” he said. “After we beat Masvingo last week, I just told the boys to keep up the pressure and I am happy that despite the poor league form, we have reached a cup final.”

TEAM LINE-UPS:
Dynamos: W. Manyatera, L. Maphuya, S. Mutenheri, B. Tuwaya, T. Sweswe, J. Majabvi, D. Phiri (B. Marere 39th minute), M. Murape (E. Gwiriza 55th minute), P. Marufu, L. Muhoni, (N. Maroto 75th minute)

CAPS United: E. Sibanda, D. Kutyauripo, G. Karimupfumbi, N. Makumbi, M. Mwanjali, O. Machapa (H. Ziso 88th minute), L. Mtizwa, A. Rambanapasi, R. Milanzi (T. Gwata 28th minute), L. Chikafa, B. Chikaka (A. Mangadza 70th minute)

ABC Sup8r Soccer Showdown Semi Finals:

Dynamos 0-1 CAPS United; Chapungu 2-0 Lengthens

CBZ FA Cup First Round Results:

Highlanders 2-0 Kiglon

CBZ Premier Soccer League Table (August 25, 2008):

TEAM		Played	Won	Drew	Lost	G/F	G/A	Points
1	Monomotapa	18	12	2	4	32	22	38
2	Njube Sundowns	19	10	2	7	31	23	32
3	Dynamos	17	8	7	2	21	14	31
4	Highlanders	18	7	8	3	26	12	29
5	Motor Action	19	9	3	8	22	24	27
6	Chapungu	17	7	5	5	22	14	26
7	Kiglon	18	6	7	5	20	19	25
8	Lengthens	18	7	3	8	24	26	24
9	Shooting Stars	18	6	5	7	16	18	23
10	Underhill	18	6	5	7	26	33	23
11	Gunners	19	5	6	8	25	29	21
12	Eastern Lions	18	5	6	7	15	19	21
13	Masvingo United	17	5	5	7	14	22	20
14	CAPS United	17	4	6	7	18	22	18
15	Lancashire Steel	19	4	5	10	20	31	17
16	CAPS FC	18	3	7	8	18	23	16

TOP GOAL SCORERS:

PLAYER & TEAM	GOALS
Evans Chikwaikwai (Njube Sundowns)	16
Cuthberth Malajila (Highlanders)	13
Edward Sadomba (Dynamos)	12
Tawanda Nyamandwe (Kiglon)	8
Nyasha Mushekwi (CAPS United), Daniel Zokoto (Monomotapa), Douglas Zimbago (Highlanders)	7
Tendai Nyamadzawo (Lengthens)	6
Simon Chipunza (Lancashire Steel), Charles Chiutsa (Monomotapa)	5
Thanks Tengwe (Gunners), Patrick Tom (Sundowns), Kudakwashe Musharu (Underhill), Ronald Sengu (Lengthens), Clemence Matawu, Louis Matawu (Motor Action), Makai Kawashu (Monomotapa)	4

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