Shooting Stars and CAPS United in stalemate

Shooting Stars were the first to score in the 21st minute when Elliot Matsika fired the ball home after Limited Chikafa had left his markers for dead on the flank and sent in an inviting cross. Matsika’s shot was too fast for Caps United goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda.

Caps United replied through Nyasha Mushekwi in the 43rd minute when he sent home a ball from Congolese Yves Ebabali who was playing his maiden game for the Green Machine. Shooting Stars were playing the more purposeful football than their rivals with former CAPS United duo of Chikafa and David Kutyauripo out to prove a point to their former paymasters.

After the breather Stars continued with their dominance and Chikafa could have put his name on the scoresheet when Kutyauripo sent in a good cross and the striker connected well but his header went slightly over the bar. That was really close. In the 64th minute Lionel Mtizwas powerful shot nearly troubled Stars goalie Phillip Nhete, who had to punch it out for a corner. And in the 88th minute Makepekepe could have snatched a late winner when substitute Oscar Machapa did some good work on the flank and sent a good delivery into the box.

But the ball found no takers as it rolled across the goalmouth with the CAPS United strikers nowhere near action to push it home. CAPS United again had a scoring opportunity in added time when Gilbert Mapemba sent in a cross but Tsipa was a shade too slow to put the finishing touches. Shooting Stars coach Lloyd Mutasa said his team could have at least won the match after a vintage performance in the first half. “We conceded a simple goal and tried to score a second goal, but failed to convert the few chances that came our away in the second half. But that is part of football,” he said.

CAPS United team manager Wilson Mutekede said though the result was disappointing his charges put up a good performance and could have won the match.