CAPS United 1-2 Hwange, Highlanders 1-1 Quelaton

CAPS United suffered a stunning home defeat - their second in a row – when they went down 2-1 to Hwange in a Castle Lager Premiership match at Gwanzura Stadium on Sunday.

This was the end of another tumultuous week at the Green Machine after their players boycotted training on Tuesday after non-payment of salaries, three days after losing 1-0 to Highlanders at Barbourfields.

The strike saw David Sengu’s contract with the Harare side terminated and assistant coach Lloyd Chitembwe being shipped off to South Africa for a one-month coaching assignment.

Sunday’s match saw a six- minute stoppage early in the second half after Leonard Fiyado in the 46th minute has equalised for Caps on his debut. Hwange players protested the goal, claiming it was from an offside position and the trigger happy were just about ready to clear the confusion.

Hwange, with coach Tennant Chilumba facing the sack after last week’s 3-0 home loss to Gunners, had opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Zambian international Aaron Katebe and clearly had the upper hand in the match.

Veteran defender Gerald Ndlovu kept veteran striker Shingi Kawondera under lock and key but as the game looked headed for a share of the spoils, Hwange struck.

The coalminers won a free kick just outside the box three minutes from time and Eric Chapeta let rip with a shot that goalkeeper Muzondiwa Gonese never saw.

Meanwhile, at Barbourfields, league pacesetters Highlanders dropped two more points in a 1-1 draw against Quelaton, a result which enabled Shabanie Mine to cut the lead to three points, although the leaders have a game in hand against Dynamos.

Milton Ncube gave Highlanders the lead in the 12th minute before Eddie Nkulungo equalised in the 29th minute. Quelaton then defended for dear life in the second half to share the spoils.

At Ascot, recent changes in the Hardbody technical team did little to change the fortunes of the Gweru side.

Godfrey Tamirepi took charge of his first game after the dismissal of Tavaka Gumbo last Tuesday but the homes side still fell 2-0 to visiting Buffaloes.

Prince Mudau and Prosper Matizanadzo scored late in the second half to condemn Hardbody to their fourth consecutive loss.

Losing cause ... Shingi Kawondera put up man of the match performance for CAPS