Caps United were knocked out of the Munhumutapa Challenge Cup by FC Hunters after losing 3-1 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw at Rufaro Stadium.
Makepekepe appeared to be in control after taking a commanding 2-0 lead into the break, with Ishmael Wadi scoring a first-half brace.
Wadi opened the scoring in the eighth minute after breaking through on the left wing before doubling Caps United’s advantage deep into first half stoppage time in the 45+5th minute.
However, FC Hunters came out strongly after the break, increasing the pressure on the Green Machine as they searched for a way back into the contest.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja pulled one back with a header from a corner kick delivered by Tadiwa Chakuchichi.
Hunters continued pushing forward and were rewarded again in the closing stages when Ronald Pfumbidzai headed home from another corner kick in the 90th minute to complete the comeback and force the match into a penalty shootout.
FC Hunters eventually prevailed 3-1 on penalties to book their place in the next round.
The result vindicated FC Hunters head coach Nesbert “Yabo” Saruchera’s warning before the match that Caps United would pay the price if they underestimated his young side.
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“If you underrate us, it will be your own problem,” Saruchera said.
The victory also continues a difficult run of results for Caps United against Hunters. In their previous league fixtures, Hunters collected four points from the two encounters, while this Munhumutapa Challenge Cup meeting marked the third clash between the sides.
Hunters have now once again proved a difficult opponent for the Green Machine, having previously knocked Dynamos out of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Saruchera was delighted with his side’s comeback, particularly the performance of his young players.
“Coming back from two-nil down, we had a very, very good second half. As you can see, we have got a lot of young boys there. They are working hard. I am here to help them,” Saruchera said.
“I feel good, especially I can say I’m working hard and playing the young kids. Most of them are under 23 and I’m just hoping one day they’re also going to represent Zimbabwe,” he added.
Caps United head coach Takesure Chiragwi, despite the defeat, said there were positives to take from the performance, particularly the team’s ability to score twice and play good football.
“We also need to take positive things. We managed to score those two goals and it was good for the team, obviously playing good football. But at the end of the day, those two set pieces cost us in terms of communication,” Chiragwi said.
“The first one was at the near post and it was very low in terms of the height of the ball. Also, the second one, I thought maybe we could do better on those two set pieces. But at the end of the day, it makes the difference and obviously the pressure will come back to the players, especially after they’ve dominated through 90 minutes,” he added.
FC Hunters will now face the winner of the quarter-final between FC Platinum and Blanket Mine, who are scheduled to meet on Sunday at Luveve Stadium.
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