CABS Complete 18-match Unbeaten Run
Standard Chartered Bank………… (0)1
CABS………. (2)2
CABS beat Standard Chartered Bank 2-1 to complete a title-winning season in which they never tasted defeat. The match, played at Standard Chartered Bank Sports Club on Saturday 22 September 2018 was a dead rubber since a week earlier CABS had already been declared FSSL champions. it was played therefore played in the spirit of a friendly with both teams giving most of their substitutes a run. Even CABS coach Casper Haatumwi was given a run and played the first 45 minutes of the match before reverting to the touchline for the second half. Stanchart enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the early exchanges in which they were a bit defensive and tried to build up methodically from the back. This cautious play forced CABS to make several speculative attempts at goal, with Perseverance (Percy) Chuma in particular trying at least three long range shots.
CABS slowly clawed their way back into the game and their first meaningful chance was a cross from the left channel by Captain Malvin Muchenu, which was however wasted as it caught William “Drogba” Ngozo unawares. The bearded gunman tried to control the ball when a first time effort would have sufficed. The away team’s sustained pressure soon paid off when Perseverance Chuma was fouled by Curtis Thompson as he charged towards goal. Chuma’s thunderbolt sailed into the net despite the best efforts of Edwin Seva in goals for StanChart, to give CABS a 1-nil advantage on 23 minutes. From then onwards, it was predominantly a CABS show. Garikayi “Mutape” Chipimho, playing on the right side of defence delivered one of the outstanding efforts of the afternoon when his volleyed shot at goal, which also looked like a cross – similar to the one once scored by Khama Billiat – almost tricked Seva. Shortly after that, StanChart had the ball in the back of the net but the effort was ruled offside.
CABS made it two to the good when William “Drogba” Ngozo tapped in a cross at the end of a fine run by Percy Chuma. StanChart midfielder Mubaiwa Mubayiwa had a chance to reduce the arrears when his powerful left-footer was smothered by Dumisani Vuma who started the match in goals for CABS and switched to an in-field position after half time.
At the beginning of the second half, a raft of substitutions tilted the game in favour of StanChart with Olleny Muringani, Carlington Dauti, Tichaona Pfukwa, Godfrey Chamunorwa and Tawanda Padziri being thrown into the fray at one go. The fresh pairs of legs ensured that the game was played in the CABS half for a while, but this did not immediately translate into goals for the home team.
StanChart eventually scored their face-saver in the 88th minute from the boot of Tichaona Pfukwa after a goalmouth scramble that ensued from a free kick. Olleny Muringani missed the opportunity to level matters when he shot over the bar with an open goal at his mercy, after a fine run by Carlington Dauti.
Blessing Tauro and Paul Geza, both Class 2 Referees, handled the match.
StanChart First Eleven: Edwin Seva, Tonderai Maluwa, Bothwell Mukaro, Lazarus Maedzenga, Curtis Thompson, Mubaiwa Mubayiwa, Kudzanai Matongo, Wisdom Mukaro, Munyaradzi Rashikai, Munyaradzi Mafara & Persuade Moyo. Substitutes: Olleny Muringani, Carlington Dauti, Tichaona Pfukwa, Godfrey Chamunorwa and Tawanda Padziri.
CABS First Eleven: Dumisani Vuma, William Ngozo, Crispen Phiri, Bernard Kujinga, Mandlenkosi Mapondera, Casper Haatumwi, Malvin Muchenu, Lenin Dube, Percy Chuma, Ngonidzashe Fero & Garikayi Chipimho. Substitutes: Piki Guvheya, Christopher Jim, Tinashe Gonyora, Waddington Mutize.
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