HARARE - CAPS United stormed through to the quarter-finals of the Chibuku Super Cup after putting up a flawless performance to dispatch Chapungu 3-0 in a thrilling first round match here yesterday.
Goals from Nicholas Alifandika, Ronald Pfumbidzayi and Honey Chimutimunzeve were enough for Green Machine to remain hopeful of bringing back the ‘Cup Kings’ tag.
United were synonymous with all the cup competitions in the past and earned the moniker Cup Kings but that success has been missing in recent years.
Yesterday, the Green machine however, reminded their fans that on their day they can sweep past any opposition on the land in knockout competitions.
After the match Makepekepe coach Taurai Mangwiro was delighted with the win but believes they need to be more creativity on front of the goal.
“I am happy with the win. If you look at our previous few matches the good start lays the foundation of our matches,” Mangwiro said after the match.
“Today there was no difference, we had a good start but what is needed is to improve on our scoring. We should have scored at least three to four goals in the first 15 minutes but I am happy to win at the end of the day.
“They beat us 3-0 at Ascot in a league match and we managed to beat them with same number of goals which is a good performance from my boys.”
The former Monomotapa coach said their aim is to do well both in the league and cup competitions this season.
“We want our team to do well both in the league and cup games although it will not be easy but with today’s performance I think we are on the right track to achieve what we want.
“We hope we will remain formidable at home and it will give us much needed momentum going into our next league match against Shabanie.
“We would want to bring back the good old days at CAPS and with what I have seen today we are on the right direction.”
Chapungu coach John Nyikadzino bemoaned the missed chances by his players.
“We failed to utilise our chances in the first half. CAPS were clinical in terms of finishing they managed to utilise their chances and second goal from Pfumbudzayi dampen my players’ fighting sprits,” said Nyikadzino.
“Some our players are not used to large crowds and I think it contributed to our defeat today.”
The encounter got off to an electric start with CAPS on top of the situation and they were duly rewarded in the third minute when Bulaji combined with Alifandika inside the box to allow the latter to score with a low shot.
Four minutes later, Pfumbidzayi missed the target after a good build up by the CAPS.
The home side continued to create chances but failed to find the target for the remainder of the opening half.
After the break, Mangwiro’s charges continued with their passing game and their second goal did not came as a surprise after Pfumbidzayi scored with a spectacular long range shot.
Chimutimunzve, who replaced Leonard Fiyado, completed the rout in added time when he scored the third.