Chitembwe, often criticized for relying on aged players, introduced three teenagers – Aseed Asan, Simba Gunda and Thulani Nyamupfeka – for their debuts in the second half of the match.

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CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe is confident the club’s future is in safe hands after watching three teenagers impress in the win over TelOne at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.

Chitembwe, often criticized for relying on aged players, introduced three teenagers – Aseed Asan, Simba Gunda and Thulani Nyamupfeka – for their debuts in the second half of the match.

Jayden Bakari headed in a goal in the 12th minute, setting up a Rodwell Chinyengetere corner for the game’s only goal.

It was his second goal in as many games after he also scored in the 2-1 defeat to league champions Simba Bhora on Saturday.

TelOne had a Cris Mverechena penalty in extra time saved by goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga.

But this game will largely be remembered for the three teenagers introduced by Chitembwe.

First to get a taste of Premier League football was Asan, who replaced William Manondo just after the hour, while Gunda and Nyamapfeka came on later in the half for Phineas Bamusi and Chinyengetere.

Ironically, Bamusi and Chinyengetere are the old guards in the Caps United squad.

Asan received a baptism of fire when he got on the end of a Xolani Ndlovu raw tackle a minute after coming on.

Luckily, no real damage was done to him as he dusted himself off and continued with the game.

He showed great composure on the ball, with every touch met with wild roars from the terraces.

After the match, Chitembwe, who also gave Junior Bunjira his debut this season, said the youngsters are the future of the club and he will continue to gradually introduce them into the team.

“Everything is done during the most important moments of the game. This was the moment when we also needed to give an evaluation of what the boys can do in a pressure environment. I am satisfied with their application, he said.

Bunjira has been one of the club’s revelations this season, while another youngster, Kingsley Mureremba, has been one of the standout performers for the Green Machine this term.

TelOne coach Hebert Maruwa applauded Chitembwe for believing in the youngsters.

“Congratulations to Caps United for introducing the youngsters. That’s the way to go,” said Maruwa.

Turning to the match itself, Chitembwe said: “In most cases we were dominant in and out of possession. What we lacked was intensity.

“We didn’t play at the speed we wanted. And also the decision-making in some key moments of the game was poor. But overall it was a decent performance from the boys.

Maruwa, whose side hit the bar in the first half, was not happy with the overall performance of his men, who recorded a second straight defeat after they also lost by the same scoreline to Herentals at the weekend.

“We didn’t come to the party. We failed to play our usual game, he said.

TelOne is 11th on the table with 38 points, just three behind Bikita Minerals, who occupy the relegation zone.

There are two rounds of matches before the season ends.

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