MWOS FC (1) 2
CAPS United FC (1) 1
DEBUTANTS MWOS FC reclaimed the top spot in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League yesterday, defeating giants CAPS United in an entertaining clash at Ngoni Stadium.
The hard-fought victory sees MWOS FC leapfrog defending champions Simba Bhora, who had briefly taken the lead after their midweek win over Bikita Minerals. MWOS have 34 points from 16 matches, two points clear of Simba Bhora.
CAPS United initially seized the lead in the 20th minute through Mabiala Bissila.
However, MWOS responded just before halftime, with Arthur Banda finding the equaliser in the 35th minute.
The hosts then completed their comeback early in the second half when Innocent Zambezi nodded home a decisive header.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa was delighted by the win.
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“It was a really good result against a very strong side, CAPS United, and we are happy,” he said.
“The feeling is always great to come back from behind. We've done this before, and I've told these youngsters, a game of football isn't over until it's over, especially at home. We need to push until the death, and they did it; we got the result.”
CAPS United started the match brightly, but struggled to create clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Bissila's opener came after he latched onto a miscued shot from Tanaka Shandirwa following a corner, before expertly controlling and slotting past Martin Mapisa from inside the box.
MWOS piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, with Billy Veremu and Nigel Matinha coming close. The breakthrough finally arrived when a long ball intended for Veremu was intercepted, falling directly into the path of a surging Banda, who emphatically blasted it into the roof of the net.
The teams headed into the break deadlocked at 1-1.
Zambezi secured the winning goal 10 minutes after the restart, heading in a free kick to complete MWOS's impressive comeback.
CAPS United had a golden opportunity to draw level in the 80th minute when MWOS captain Tafadzwa Nyabunze was adjudged to have fouled Bissila in the box, resulting in a penalty.
However, Manokore blazed his spot kick over the bar.
Disappointed CAPS United coach Ian Bakala conceded defeat, acknowledging the gulf in ambitions between the two sides.
"These guys [MWOS FC] are fighting at the top, while we are fighting relegation," he remarked. "Despite this, I think we just need to work extra hard because we conceded a goal we should have avoided.
"It's football, but responsibility is needed in a game like this. We've been changing teams every game, still looking at players. Some are not performing, and some are experiencing a bit of fatigue. We just have to work extra hard and look to the next game."
The defeat brought an end to the Green Machine's modest run of two consecutive wins.
Teams:
MWOS FC: M. Mapisa, T. Nyabunze, V. Katsande, I. Zambezi, M. Murambiwa, T. Mutyambizi, T. George (J. Makangira 75'), M. Mudzuka, B. Veremu, A. Banda (S. Cheya 87'), N. Matinha (C. Kwangwari 87')
CAPS United: H. Nare, B. Kangwa, H. Chapusha, W. Milanzi, K. Mangiza, E. Manokore, K. Benyu, T. Shandirwa, P. Bamusi, J. Bunjira (T. Matindife 46' (J. Mutudza 70')), M. Bissila
