Mukamba on target as Caps dismiss Herentals 2-0

NIGERIAN international Abasirim Chidiebere and Denver Mukamba scored a goal each in the first half as Caps United overcame battling premiership new boys Herentals in a Castle Lager Premiership tie at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Denver, the man rejected by Dynamos for his wayward behaviour, was involved on both occasions. With just five minutes into the match, Mukamba curled a wonderful corner kick and Chidiebere got to the end of it, before leaping highest to nod home.
It was the Nigerian’s maiden goal since he joined the Green Machine and his celebrations, as he raced to the fans and then embracing his coach Lloyd Chitembwe, said it all.
The victory was United’s second of the campaign after a sluggish start that saw them drawing three matches and winning one.
The Green Machine were by far the better side in the first half in which they carved out good chances.
John Zhuwawo was also unlucky not to have added his name on the score sheet after his effort crashed against the upright on 20 minutes when goalkeeper Kudakwashe Magama needlessly came out of his line as the Caps United forwards raced towards goal.
Three minutes later Chidiebere however, failed to do justice to a good cross by Simba Nhivi from the right blasting his effort wide.
Mukamba then put Caps United 2-0 up on 39 minutes, drilling a low shot that beat goalkeeper Magama with the Herentals defence guilty of ball watching.
In the second half, Herentals appeared to have found some rhythm as they matched their more illustrious opponents in every aspect of the game. Even so, it was Caps United who could have scored on 57 minutes but Nhivi’s effort missed target after his sharp turn.
Herentals, forward Blessing Majarira who has previously played for the Warriors came close on several occasions but was denied by goalkeeper Prosper Chigumba.
The Premiership new boys however, remained determined as they launched some raids on Caps United goal, but they found their opponents refusing to buckle.
Chitembwe was pleased with the result.
“I am very satisfied with result, a clean sheet and two goals,” he said after the game.
“The speed of thought and movement, there is improvement in those aspects and I am happy especially with the way those goals by Denver and Chidiebere were executed.
“In the first half I was impressed we created opportunities but in the second half, I was not really happy. Maybe it’s because we were trying to kill off the match and we tended to give our opponents the momentum.”
His counterpart Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva blamed the defeat fon conceding early goal.
“Today we got it wrong when we conceded an early goal in five minutes. The boys were no longer settled but we matched Caps United in some aspects of the game,” he said.
“From transition to attack we didn’t execute that well, but in terms of possession we were better than them. This (defeat) was also due to inexperience.
“Caps United have experienced players with the likes of Stephen Makatuka and Simba Nhivi having played outside the country and this where we also came short.”