CAPS aim at Blue Rangers

their first win in six games on Monday when they beat Quelaton 1-0 at the National Sports Stadium and manager Sean Connor said they are aiming to build on that positive result to refocus their campaign.
But the Green Machine have suffered a spate of injuries with Tendai Samanja, David Rediyoni, Conrad Whitby, Clive Kawinga and Pride Tafirenyika among the casualties.
The quintet was expected to undergo fitness tests yesterday although the manager painted a grim picture over their availability. Connor said none of the players will make the starting line-up with Samanja probably the only hopeful in that bunch. CAPS have 22 players registered with the Premier Soccer League and Connor remains positive with a depleted squad.
“I have 17 happy players training,” he said. “What was pleasing in our last match is that the back four was tremendous. It was compact and the communication was good.”
The spotlight will again fall on the strikers Evans Gwekwerere and Washington Pakamisa who are yet to score for their team in six league games.
Rahman Kutsanzira, who had a sterling season at Highlanders last year, was on target in the previous game, to ease pressure on the Harare giants.
The CAPS United fans are still looking to get more value from their players such as Charles Chiutsa, Asani Nhongo, Pakamisa and Gwekwerere who have severely under-performed this season.
But Rangers assistant coach Wishes Shiridzinomwa, who was recently reunited with Misheck Chidzambwa in their team’s technical set-up, said CAPS should not expect an easy outing as they also need to fend off pressure by getting their first win of the season.
Rangers are the only team not to win a match in seven outings and they anchor the table with two points.
“We are also looking to pick our first win of the season. I believe we have a good team and we have done everything to win matches. But it seems luck was not on our side.
“In some of the games we dominated but conceded late. So we are saying we need the players to concentrate the whole 90 minutes. Otherwise we have equal chances of winning against CAPS United,” said Shiridzinomwa.
Rangers have experienced players like Bernard Bvumbwe, Nyasha Chazika, Eddie Mashiri and Vincent Nzombe while the attacking pair of Talent Munetsi and Scholar Hadebe can trouble any defence on any day.
Diminutive midfielder Norest Mukwezaramba will be facing his former paymasters for the first time since he crossed the floor to join Rangers.
Meanwhile, Motor Action will be looking at cementing their place among the front-runners when they return to their former homeground of Sakubva tomorrow to face Buffaloes.
The Mighty Bulls, who welcome veteran defender Godfrey Moyo, are currently third in the table with 13 points.
Buffaloes have been inconsistent at home and coach Saul Chaminuka has challenged the home supporters to stop putting pressure on his charges and rally behind the team.
“I don’t understand it when supporters boo and taunt their team. This has been happening since the first game here and it affected results on the pitch.
“It has been difficult for us to win at home because of the pressure and this has to come to an end so that we move forward,” said Chaminuka.
Buffaloes’ striker Beavan Chirere and defender Themba Ndlovu, who was at Motor Action last season, are out on suspension.