HARARE - Brenna Msiska was abused by a vocal section of the CAPS United fans as the former champions crashed to an embarrassing Castle Premiership defeat at the hands of a visiting Buffaloes here yesterday.

The Green Machine coach turned into a hate figure, for a section of the United fans sitting in the Machipisa End, who held him responsible for their team’s subsequent defeat — the second loss by the Harare giants in four league games.

An angry mob of Makepekepe fans then gathered at the main entrance to the dressing room after the game calling for Msiska’s head and police had to intervene to control the crowd.

Msiska was targeted for his questionable team selection, and somehow his weakness in reading the game and making tactical substitutions.

Not even the introduction of impressive Moses Muchenje, who breathed life into the Makepekepe midfield, could stop them to register their second defeat of the season after an identical 1-0 to Harare City in their opening match of the season at Rufaro Stadium last month.

Msiska watched in horror as Farai Banda curled home a delightful free-kick on the stroke of halftime from just outside the box to ensure the soldiers returned to Mutare with the full points.

United have themselves to blame after playing the better football especially in the first half where they kept Buffaloes under siege for long spells of the half but failed to bury their chances.

But instead true to his word, Buffaloes coach Saul Chaminuka guided his charges to their second straight win after thumping Hwange 4-2 in their previous match at Sakubva.

“We played a disciplined game in all departments and it paid off at the end of the day,” Chaminuka told reporters after the match.

"We lost two of our opening matches against FC Platinum and Monomotapa owing to poor match fitness. What I am seeing here is a team that is going to well.

“I am very happy with our performance and our main aim this year is to win the league. We have assembled a competitive team and I think we will go far this year.

“We come here to get the three points and we have done just that.”

Buffaloes are slowly turning out a bogey team for United since their return into the top flight last year.

The two teams drew both encounters last season and this season Mutare-based soldiers have drawn first blood.

Makepekepe threw everything at Buffaloes but they were left frustrated especially when the visitors employed some delaying tactics slowing the tempo of the game. At times they faked injuries much to the disappointment of CAPS fans. - Godknows Matarutse