Can CAPS clear How Minefield?

Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
THE last time CAPS United reached the semi-final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, their fans in Harare didn’t get a chance to see their heroes in action on home territory as their dreams were shattered, in ruthless fashion, by bitter rivals Dynamos at Barbourfields.
But having gone all the way to the semi-finals of the country’s premier knock-out football tournament again this year, the Green Machine have been rewarded with a home tie against giant-killers How Mine and, for their fans in the capital, it’s a chance to see their boys in action.
Big match fever has been sweeping across the capital, especially among CAPS United fans, who are expected to come in their thousands for the big match at the National Sports Stadium where the cheapest ticket will cost just US$1.

The heartbreak of that 0-3 whipping, at the hands of the Glamour Boys in that semi-final on neutral turf last year, has been forgotten and that their bitter rivals have been eliminated out of the contest, by the very team that CAPS United face on Sunday, has put a gloss to this adventure.

But Taurai Mangwiro and his men know that anything less than a maiden appearance in the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup will  be considered a failure by their fans.

Mangwiro will be on the bench in a Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final for the first time after missing the encounter against Dynamos as he served a short-lived ban from the game.

The Green Machine fans blame his absence, and the demoralising effect that his banishment had on their players, for their collapse in the City of Kings.

Mangwiro yesterday warned his troops that winning the two league encounters against How Mine doesn’t mean anything ahead of the two teams’ meeting on Sunday.

“We have been working hard as a group this season and there has been unity of purpose among the players and this is what has driven us this far,” said Mangwiro.

“We beat How Mine in the league but we expect them come out fighting in the Cup match because there is so much at stake.
“CAPS United might be having the bragging rights and the psychological advantage but it will count for nothing if we do not apply ourselves positively.”

Roving leftback Ronald Pfumbidzai, who has missed his team’s last two Castle Lager Premiership games as he struggled to shake off an ankle injury, believes he can now play a part to keep the dream alive.

Pfumbidzai has been CAPS United’s first-choice leftback in his maiden season in the Premiership, after being lured from Hippo Valley, and has featured in more than half of his team’s matches so far this year.

He was the fall guy in both legs of the high-profile Harare Derby this season as he was accused of giving away a penalty in the first match at the National Sports Stadium while allowing Oscar Machapa to slip away and curl a beauty in the second match at Rufaro.

The Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final against How Mine might not be as tension-filled as the league games against Dynamos, but CAPS United players know that they will get some rich pickings if they manage to reach the final.

“CAPS United have beaten How Mine twice this season, but we know that they will be better prepared this time and this will make the game a little bit tough for both teams,” said Pfumbidzai.

“So, I think we should prepare normally. We are giving each other confidence, as players, that we should win this Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“Everyone knows what is at stake and that we should win this game on Sunday.”

Pfumbidzai missed the last two league games against How Mine and Buffaloes but this week he had been back in training with his teammates.

Today the Green Machine will continue with their preparations and are expected to use the match venue this afternoon for their training session.

“Personally I am approaching this game like any other matches we have played this season. So we need to concentrate for the whole 90 minutes if we want to get a good result,” said Pfumbidzai.

“The feeling is that this should be our year in the Mbada Cup.”
Since the tournament’s inception in 2011, CAPS United have been eliminated by old enemies Dynamos — losing 0-1 in the first round and then 0-3 in the semi-final last year.

The passage has been cleared this season, with the Glamour Boys out of the race, but CAPS United know that for How Mine to beat DeMbare, it means they are a team that should be taken seriously.

Pfumbidza is also looking at getting a personal medal to show for his maiden season and feels that the Mbada Diamonds Cup presents him with the best opportunity.

“I do not have any honours in the PSL this season but I am hoping to get something from the Mbada Cup,” he said.
“However, I am not putting myself under any pressure to deliver but I hope that we will play as a tight unit.
“Pressure from the fans can be felt outside the field but once we get into the field, we have to be focused.”

CAPS United finished their training session by practicing penalty kicks yesterday.
The Green Machine needed the lottery to overcome Motor Action in the first round at Sakubva and the dreaded kicks are a possibility on Sunday.

“All the players are available and ready for the game. I failed to play the last two games because of an injury but I feel I’m ready.
“However, it’s up to the coaches to decide if I get the chance,” said Pfumbidzai.

How Mine coach Philani Ncube told our Bulawayo Bureau that his team has nothing to lose as they are coming in as underdogs on Sunday.
Chikurupati might have lost 0-1 to CAPS United on their last visit to Harare but Ncube’s last assignment in the knock-out competition was memorable as Thembani Masuku grabbed the solitary goal that shattered DeMbare’s dream.

“Since this is our first season in the Premiership, it has taken off some pressure from the guys. CAPS United have been in the league for a long time and we respect that but we go into Sunday’s game to compete and not just to make up the numbers.

“When the tournament started, no one gave us a chance but look at where we are now,” said Ncube.