Mutasa Wins Battle of THE Lloyds

Caps United. (0)

Bikita Minerals.( 0) 1

ONE would have thought the worst was over for Caps United following four successive defeats in the first half of the ongoing season.

That negative run was hard for the Green Machine fans to stomach.

And yesterday, Lloyd Chitembwe-coached team plunged even deeper after a disappointing home defeat to Bikita Minerals.

Caps United's previous home defeat sparked furore with supporters demanding the dismissal of Chitembwe.

The former Caps United midfielder was unrepentant and even though they had a good performance against Highlanders, they lost again last week.

With yesterday's loss, the fifth in seven games, Caps United are now level on points with basement team Triangle.

Both teams have gained only four points each and are 10 points behind log leaders Mwos, who host Dynamos today.

This was the type of season where Caps were to be able to battle, but it appears to be coming to an end so prematurely.

Where other clubs are thinking about winning the title, Caps are already thinking about survival.

Of course they still have time to get their act together and climb the table, but confidence has never been lower.

Targets have been in short supply with just four to their name so far this season.

In yesterday's draw, the Green Machine seemed to be inching their way to a disappointing draw with a side that had previously managed just one victory.

But it was not their day, as Bikita Minerals pinched the three points with a late goal in the referee's discretion minutes by Innocent Masiwa.

Troubled Chitembwe left his deputy Tonderai Marume to handle the post-match Press conference.

Marume cleared Chitembwe of fault for the crisis that has rocked the team.

"It's a disappointing outcome, but that is football, we simply have to accept it and attempt to improve in the next encounter. Credit to the players, they gave it their all, they attempted to break through from all directions, but it was not to be. If you look at our performance, we are attempting to play dominating teams and it's coming up short. What lacks is the end result. That's the difference so far. We have played several games and not scored. They [Bikita Minerals] capitalized on one of the few opportunities they had and were able to score and win the match. The performance was good but the outcome is not good. The outcome is not an accurate reflection of the performance. But that is the way it is, football is merciless," Marume said.

The fans voiced disappointment with the result once again calling for the technical team's exit.

Marume recognized the fans' response considering the circumstances.

"I sympathize with the fans, I would have done the same as they are doing because fans follow the game with expectations. The way to proceed is to go out and fight hard to attempt to get the expected results. There is no witch hunt to be undertaken. For us, the problems we have bear no relation with the technical, tactical, physical or mental issues. So, it would be mischief to point fingers at one person. It is the same technical team we had last season with a relatively weaker team. I don't think it's fair to point fingers at the technical team. There is an issue, the results are not coming and it is the duty of the technical team to get remedies."

Caps United owner Farai Jere recently backed his technical team claiming the team had turned the corner.

Bikita Minerals coach Wilson Mutekede praised Caps United's quality but said their game strategy worked flawlessly.

"It was a good game that we played against a very good team. A well-structured side but our aim was to absorb the pressure and try to catch them on the counter. In the second half we tried to get more of the ball but it was a very good game. It was good to get three points away from home. If you look at the Caps United midfield, they are talented, so if you give them time on the ball, they will kill you. So we had to take that time on the ball," Mutekede said after the match.

It is a match that Caps will reflect on and regret lost opportunities. Newsday

Results
Caps 0-1 Bikita Minerals
Manica Diamonds 2-2 TelOne
Triangle 1-0 Yadah