adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
CAPS United team manager Luis Maio says his players are aware of the friction they unwittingly created between a section of their fans and coach Taurai Mangwiro following last weekend’s draw against How Mine.
He now wants them to use the match against Black Rhinos today to make amends.
A section of CAPS United fans abused Mangwiro after the Green Machine were held to a 0-0 draw by How Mine at Rufaro.
The unruly fans believe that Mangwiro, despite all his good efforts in keeping CAPS United in the championship race this season, has a soft spot for Dynamos, the club he played for in the 1990s.
CAPS United are still in the title race and would desperately need to win the Castle Lager Premiership match against Rhinos at Rimuka this afternoon to remain in the mix.
“We are happy with our preparations for this game and I think the guys are ready. Everyone is focused and we have put the problems of the past week behind us,” said Maio.
“This is a new game and the guys are under pressure to get a good result.
“They are aware of the problems they could have created for the coach last week and now need to take off that pressure,” said Maio.
He added that all their players, save for Malawian international Gerald Phiri, were available for selection.
“Phiri is out of this game because he has problems with his knee and right foot, but I am sure we still have a good pool to select from,” said Maio.
But Black Rhinos are in a worse situation than CAPS United as they need the three points to ease their relegation worries.
Last week, Chauya Chipembere lost 2-1 to ZPC Kariba in a match they finished with 10 men after Wonder Kapinda was red-carded at Gwanzura.
Jostein Mathuthu, the Rhinos coach, said he would not read much into the problems at CAPS United, but would rather focus on strengthening his side.
“I think we are ready for the game, although we could have wanted more time to prepare. We have since put behind us the defeat of last weekend and are thinking ahead.
“Things are also not good for CAPS United, but we are not reading much into their problems, lest we became complacent.
“If anything, the problems could be a way of trying to hoodwink us and we should rather focus on our plans,” said Mathuthu.
A former CAPS United coach, Mathuthu predicted a close encounter and is confident his soldiers will win the battle.
“My players understand that in football you win some games and lose some. So, we need to win this game and get the three points to move up,” said Mathuthu.
Fixtures:
Today: How Mine v Chicken Inn (Hartsfield), FC Platinum v Buffaloes (Mandava), Chapungu v Chiredzi (Ascot), Black Rhinos v CAPS United (Rimuka)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Shabanie (Rufaro), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo), Highlanders v ZPC Kariba (Hartsfield)
Monday: Bantu Rovers v Hwange (Hartsfield).
Online Reporter