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CAN Chapungu succeed in their quest to stop in-form champions CAPS United at Ascot this afternoon?
Harare giants CAPS United will today return to the venue where they won the 2016 Championship with a 1-0 win over the Air Force of Zimbabwe side.
Makepekepe are looking sharp after winning four of their last five games.
They drew the other match against Tsholotsho to ensure they are unbeaten in five outings.
However, Chapungu coach Tendai Chikuni, whose side has been struggling for consistency of late, yesterday said Makepekepe should brace for a tough match.
CAPS United have often struggled at Ascot where they won only once in the last 10 years.
“This is one of those games when we need to be at our best. We are playing the defending champions and CAPS United are doing well. But we have a name to protect so we are aiming to give it our best shot.
“We need to have a very strong mentality. Results haven’t been coming to us as we would have wanted, especially in the last three games, so we can only look forward to nothing but maximum points.
“The fact that we are playing the champions is self-motivational. The guys are ready and I hope they will rise to another level. The better team on the day is likely to win.
“Remember there are neither big nor small teams in the second half of the season. I am sure our fans will be solidly behind us as they have always been doing in these difficult times,” said Chikuni.
Chapungu have not won a match this month after losing to Yadah and Hwange and drawing with How Mine in their last three games.
They currently sit on the 13th place in the log standings with 25 points from 21 starts.
The airmen have almost all their players available for selection including seniors Philip Marufu, Themba Ndlovu, Allan Tavarwisa, Maxwell Mavuto and Blessed Mbavarira.
The only worry was Ian Nyoni who was supposed to take a fitness test yesterday.
Makepekepe begin life without Ronald Pfumbidzai who leaves for Bloemfontein Celtic of South Africa after he inspired the giants to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Black Rhinos during mid-week.
Skipper Hardlife Zvirekwi is also not available while defender Justice Jangano, who was expelled in controversial fashion in the last game, will start serving a two-match suspension.
The setback, however, is blessing in disguise to newboy Goodwin Goriyati who has been making cameos since joining the champions last month.
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe has very limited options in defence and will need to manage his players well to avoid a crisis.
Makepekepe have been rising steadily on the log standings after recovering from a slump towards the end of the first half of the season.
The Green Machine need maximum points to push into the top half of the table.
They currently occupy 10th place with 27 points and four games in hand.
The Green Machine will be hoping that their man-of-the-moment Dominic Chungwa will rise to the occasion again and continue with his scoring form.
The burly forward has struck a rich vein of form with five goals in his last four games.
Highlanders, who slumped to a shock defeat at the hands of Tsholotsho in their last game, face a tough test at Ngezi Platinum while FC Platinum should be strong enough to beat a beleaguered Black Rhinos.
Fixtures
Today
FC Platinum v Black Rhinos (Mandava), Chapungu v CAPS United (Ascot), ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Nyamhunga), Chicken Inn v Hwange (Barbourfields), Ngezi Platinum v Highlanders (Baobab),
Tomorrow
Bantu Rovers v How Mine (Barbourfields), Triangle United v Bulawayo City (Gibbo), Tsholotsho v Shabanie Mine (Dulivhadzimo), Dynamos v Yadah (Rufaro)
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