In what can only be described as a power outage on the pitch, CAPS United’s lithium-charged ambitions fizzled out as Bikita Minerals flipped the scoreboard 2-1 at Gibbo yesterday. Spoiler alert: the battery didn’t last the full 90 minutes.

Coach Ian Bakala looked like a man who just tried to charge his phone with a potato—full of hope but ultimately disappointed. “We should’ve at least forced a draw,” he sighed, as if expecting a miracle from a team running on fumes.

Bikita’s dynamic duo, Tadiwanashe Murasiramwa and Spencer Mugariri, delivered the electric shock therapy the home crowd needed, ending a three-game losing streak and jolting their team out of the relegation doldrums. Meanwhile, CAPS got a brief jolt when Nyasha Chintuli equalized, but sadly, the spark didn’t last.

“We started like a phone stuck at 1% battery,” Bakala lamented. “Mistakes piled up, and it stung worse than a caffeine withdrawal. A draw would’ve been fine, but now it’s back to the training grind to recharge.”

Bikita kicked off with the precision of a Swiss watch. New recruit Makhelele Gweva was the midfield maestro, conducting play like a DJ spinning the perfect beat. Their first big chance came in the 25th minute, but CAPS goalie Stephen Kwaku was there like a cat on a laser pointer, swatting the ball away with ease.

Disaster struck at 34 minutes when CAPS defender Chinga Chitoshi, seemingly auditioning for the Slow and Steady Olympics, opted to play it safe deep in his half — a move that gifted Bikita a golden chance. Pascal Shumbaimwe’s long throw found Murasiramwa, who finished with the clinical precision of a sushi chef.

CAPS managed to claw back just before halftime when captain Courage Bera, perhaps ironically named, lost the ball and then fouled, gifting CAPS a free kick. Tanaka Shandirwa’s delivery was met by Nyasha Chintuli’s sneaky header, leveling the score and briefly reviving CAPS’ hopes.

After the break, Bikita flipped the switch, orchestrating a slick passing move that ended with Mugariri slotting home from close range—Murasiramwa the unselfish provider this time.

CAPS United never found their rhythm again, their lithium battery completely drained.

Bikita coach Wilson Mutekede let out a relieved sigh. “We’re thrilled to finally get a win after three tough matches. We’ve got a comfy cushion now, but one slip and we’re back to the basement. No time for naps.”

And there you have it: a match full of near-misses, questionable choices, and a reminder that sometimes, even lithium power needs a little extra spark to win the day.

 

Teams:
_Bikita Minerals:_ Biggie Temera, Ishmael Muroiwa, Pascal Shumbaimwe, Chelsea Nyakope, Felix Moyo, Lee Manyuchi (Fitzgerald Banda 90), Courage Bera, Spencer Mugariri, Makhelele Gweva (Keith Mathe 90), Tadiwanashe Murasiramwa (Shelton Moyo 77), Nigel Tsimba

_CAPS United:_ Stephen Kwaku, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Chinga Chitoshi, Kelvin Mangiza, Leroy Chipanera (Adam Tende 71), Tanaka Shandirwa, Junior Bunjira, Nyasha Chintuli, Phineas Bamusi, Mugalu Mutshimba

end//..