Chitembwe confident of winning Battle of Limpopo

Chitembwe said great character shown by his charges in overcoming Swazilands Mbabane Highlanders in a tough penalty shoot-out should be enough to see them past Swallows to progress to the second round of the CAF Confederation Cup. He said: “From a technical point of view the team is playing well. What counts is the concentration and results not necessarily the number of goals.

What is important is that we are progressing. If a team can manage to win on penalties, that is an exhibition of great character and that will spur the team on. I am confident that we will prevail again against Swallows.” United survived a battle of nerves when they edged Highlanders in the decisive second leg of the preliminary round at Simhololo Stadium in Swaziland last weekend. Big Goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda was the saviour for the Green Machine, making a decisive save that saw the Harare side winning 8-7 on penalties after they had lost the match 1-0, a result which reversed the Harare giants’ narrow winning margin at Rufaro two weeks ago.

Mbabane Highlanders midfielder Xolani Sibandze scored early in the second half and extra-time could not separate the two teams. In the penalty shoot-out, Mbabanes Khayelihle Dlamini, Vuyani Mazibuko, Eugene Dlamini, Mlungisi Magagula, Thulani Sibisi, Sibandze, skipper Mlungisi Ngubane all found the target. But Sibanda came to the rescue of CAPS throwing his big body down to the ground to block Mbabanes Msizi Lukhekeles low shot to the right. Method Mwanjali, Marvel Samaneka, George Karimupfumbi, Nyasha Mushekwi, Sibanda, Tafadzwa Rusike, Nyasha Mukumbi and Gilbert Mapemba all converted United’s spot kicks to set up a mouthwatering first round clash against Swallows.

The CAPS/Swallows clash is eagerly awaited not least because of the never ending debate or is it wrangle between Zimbabwean and South African soccer fans as to which of the two rival leagues is the better one. But, questions are hanging over CAPS United’s chances against Swallows given that their strikers have been struggling to find the net since the start of the campaign. They have scored just two goals in open play a factor that apparently seem not to really bother Chitembwe.