Bubbly CAPS dream big

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
FOR Gideon Mubayi, the new interim team manager at CAPS United, the explosive Harare Derby at Rufaro on Sunday provides just the litmus test that he needed as he settles into his new role.
Mubayi has been working with the junior teams, just like his predecessor Josephat Rwafa, who has since left the club.
Last month, Mubayi’s leadership qualities were put to the test when CAPS United players boycotted training over outstanding bonuses, just a few days after he had stepped into Rwafa’s shoes.

But he handled the tricky situation well and on Sunday he faces his biggest test since joining the Green Machine’s first team technical department.

Mubayi yesterday said he was taking it easy as he braces himself, and his troops, for their biggest match this season.
This clash is highly anticipated as both teams are enjoying a good run in the Castle Lager Premiership with  Dynamos sitting at the top of the table while their rivals CAPS  United have gone on 10-match unbeaten run.

Since losing 1-0 to DeMbare on May 17 at the National Sports Stadium, the Green Machine has avoided defeat, even at tricky venues like Barbourfields against Highlanders and the Colliery, and Mubayi is upbeat that they will get a positive result on Sunday.

CAPS United fans claim that their team was cheated of all three points in that drawn match against Bosso in the City of Kings after the referee was forced to change his mind, having awarded them a penalty, following the intervention of the fourth official.

Then, at the Colliery, they also had what looked like a perfect goal by big striker, Tawanda Nyamandwe, ruled out for dangerous play when his overhead kick, from inside the area, was executed without any defender in close attendance.

While they dropped four points in those two matches, which could have been enough to take them top of the table in the Premiership today, CAPS United fans have been cheered by the way their team competed in those matches and they believe it shows the Green Machine has come of age.

No wonder why Mubayi feels CAPS United have a good chance on Sunday, when they visit the lion’s den, to end their lengthy wait for a league win against DeMbare.

“I think that we have to approach this game like any other matches we have played before and this means that we should be aiming to get a positive result,” said Mubayi.

“Everything is okay within our camp for now.
“We are not afraid of Dynamos at all. All the players are ready for the game.”
Mubayi as it was his role, in the technical department, to ensure that players were highly motivated for every encounter and no league match for them comes as big as their clash against DeMbare.

Yesterday the CAPS United camp received a boost when Zimbabwe international midfielder Hardlife Zvirekwi joined the training session at Danny Bismarck.

Zvirekwi had travelled to South Africa with the Warriors for the international friendly tie and was one of the three home-based players who were thrown into the first XI by coach, Ian Gorowa, which supports his phenomenal rise since crossing the floor to join the Green Machine from Gunners last year.

“Hardlife is now back and has trained with the others while the other national team players –Tafadzwa Dube and Dominic Chingwa were around,” said Mubayi.

Zvirekwi was the star of the show in CAPS United’s last match when the Green Machine turned on the style to beat lowly Tripple B 3-0 at the National Sports Stadium.

Chungwa scored the other goal.
CAPS United, playing on a Thursday, matched the three goals that Dynamos had scored in an impressive 3-1 victory over the then leaders Harare City at Rufaro.

Mubayi believes if his boys can keep the shape they had against Tripple B, then they could be a match for the Glamour Boys.
“I am hopeful that the boys will still be in shape because we played last week so it’s slightly more than a week after our last game,” said Mubayi.

“Actually, I think it was tricky playing against Tripple B even if they are at the bottom.
“We did not know anything much about Tripple B while we know a lot about Dynamos so it means we are better prepared for this game.”
Maybe, maybe not!

It’s a terrain that Mubayi has never walked before and maybe that explains his bullish stance despite the depressing figures that show that the Green Machine has malfunctioned, especially in the past four years, when they have come face-to-face with DeMbare.