CAPS United 1-1 Moroka Swallows

SOUTH African premiership side Moroka Swallows grabbed a crucial away goal after holding CAPS United to a 1-1 draw in a CAF Confederation Cup tie played at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

CAPS United needed to win the home tie to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the second round of the competition but came short before an estimated 15 000 partisan crowd.

The result means the Harare side now have it all to do when they travel to South Africa in two weeks time if they are to make it to the second round of the tournament.

The visitors took the lead in the 43rd minute through Siyabonga Nomvete who headed the ball home with the CAPS United defence guilty of ball watching.

But Swallows' joy was short-lived as CAPS United equalised two minutes later with big striker Nyasha Mushekwi heading past Greg Etafia in goals for Moroka Swallows.

In the second half, CAPS United pressed for the crucial winner but the Dube Birds as Swallows are affectionately known by their passionate fans remained resolute and even threatened to score a second goal.

United fans left the stadium a dejected lot with many expressing concerns over coach, Lloyd Chitembwe's tactics after he employed a 4-5-1 formation and made questionable some substitutions.

Chitembwe however, remained confident of sailing through to the second round.

"We did not play well today. We were not supposed to concede that goal but that's part of football. We will try to work on the areas of weakness before the second leg and I am sure we will progress to the next round,'' he said.

Swallows striker Nomvete, who played for Italian side Udinese in the Italian Seria A before returning home to play in South Africa, said they were now looking to wrap up the tie at home in two weeks time.

"It’s a good result for us because CAPS United can not beat us at home. The second leg weighs heavily against CAPS United,” he said.