adminGwanzura.
With four wins and three defeats in-between, the Green Machine family can confess they have had a perfect start, although if we go by the dire off-season predictions, they have done pretty well and the mere fact that they are in a better place than Dynamos brings a wave of refreshment.
CAPS have been operating in fits and starts and the 1-0 loss against Chicken Inn in Bulawayo, which was the first for their returning coach Taurai Mangwiro, should spur them to work harder.
It was a cruel blow and CAPS United didn’t deserve to lose that game.
Makepekepe’s preparations, however, have been hit by injuries and yesterday they suffered a big setback as key players Hardlife Zvirekwi (ankle), Rahman Kutsanzira and Pride Tafirenyika (both groin) were dropped from the coach’s plans because of injuries.
Their impressive leftback, Ronald Pfumbidzai, is also out of the game because of the three yellow cards he picked in previous assignments.
The CAPS United technical team, however, are looking to assemble a winning team as they are keen to start collecting maximum points with consistency.
CAPS are fourth on the log table with 12 points while Shabanie anchor with five points in the bag from seven starts.
“We would want to get back to the winning form as quickly as possible,” said Mangwiro.
“I know Shabanie are in a difficult position and will come out in full force but if we hope to make an impact this year then we shouldn’t have to drop points at home.
“More importantly we are looking for consistency. If we can string a long chain of good results the better for us. It’s not good that one day we win and then the next we lose.”
Before their loss at Chicken Inn, CAPS United had thrashed Black Mambas 4-1 with their striker Dominic Chungwa bagging the first hattrick of the season and taking his tally to four goals.
Chungwa is expected to lead the attack again with Tawanda Nyamandwe as minimal changes are likely to be made to the team that featured in the last game.
Goalkeeper, Tafadzwa Dube, has been a quality addition to the Green Machine with a steady performance that ranks, so far, as one of the best in the Premiership.
Shabanie Mine coach Luke Masomere said the asbestos miners will not be easy opponents as they are stepping up the fight to rise from the bottom of the table.
Shabanie escaped with a point against Hwange, at Maglas, in the mid-week matches.
Masomere should be getting worried by his team’s form and wants an immediate turn-around of fortunes especially in front of goal.
Since his return from the short-lived Asiagate ban, Shabanie have managed to collect four points from a possible nine and have scored one goal in three matches.
Although they are gunning for maximum points, Masomere yesterday said CAPS will be difficult to beat in front of their supporters.
“I believe this is going to be a tough game because we are the away team. However, in football these days it’s no longer about being home or away, it all depends on how you play on the day.
“I have been telling my boys that games are won by scoring goals because our scoring record is not that good. Since I came back we have managed to score one goal and also conceded one goal in three matches. So we have to do something different.
“I know CAPS definitely want to win at home but we are hoping to be positive. Our position on the log table is not looking good so we will have to do our very best to get maximum points,” said Masomere.
Masomere said his return to action, from the Asiagate match, had shamed the devil.
“It was a victory to the All Mighty because I think the reason why I was implicated in the Asiagate scandal was the work of the devil,” Masomere told our sister newspaper, B-Metro.
“The devil has been shamed. Even if I close my eyes I can’t get answers as to why I was implicated. I was very innocent.
“The US$1 500 I paid to Zifa was not an admission of guilty but I wanted to put the case to rest. It was difficult to raise the fine but I would like to thank my wife who works as Deputy Dean of Students at Great Zimbabwe University who game me US$800 and I got the rest from Shabanie Mine as the club owed me some money from last season.” The asbestos miners are hoping to carry late fitness tests on three senior players.
“We have quite a number of players we had wanted to assess before coming here but the problem was that we couldn’t have time to practice.
“Among our casualties, there are three senior players nursing injuries and we are hoping that they will be okay by the time we play,” said Masomere. Second-placed Highlanders should not expect to have it easy against in-form army side Buffaloes at Barbourfields tomorrow as they seek to consolidate their place at the top of the table where they are tied on 16 points with leaders FC Platinum.
Bosso are coming from a 3-2 win against Tripple B at Mandava but they should be mindful of their opponents who have been doing their business quietly.
Buffaloes stretched their winning streak to five matches in a row, the best run in the league, when they hammered fellow military outfit Black Rhinos at Sakubva on Thursday.
Their coach Saul Chaminuka was yesterday high on confidence and said his team is ready to upset the Bulawayo giants at their own turf.
“I am very happy with our form and we are all looking forward to a good game in Bulawayo. Highlanders are a very strong team but we are hoping to continue with our winning streak because we are a team that is gunning for the championship.
“Unlike last year when we were playing to survive relegation, this time we would like to make our intentions clear. I believe we have the right material and we definitely need maximum points against Highlanders to improve our position on the log table,” said Chaminuka.
Buffaloes are third on the log standings with 15 points, one behind Highlanders.
Fixtures
Today
CAPS United v Shabanie (Gwanzura), Harare City v Chicken Inn (Rufaro), FC Platinum v Tripple B (Mandava)
Tomorrow
Black Rhinos v How Mine (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Buffaloes (Barbourfields), Hwange v Triangle (Colliery), Monomotapa v Dynamos (Rufaro), Motor Action v Black Mambas (Motor Action Sports Club)
Online Reporter