Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United president Farai Jere yesterday challenged coach Lloyd Chitembwe and his players to step up to the plate following a poor start to the 2025 Castle Lager Premiership campaign that torched angry reactions from the club’s supporters at Rufaro last Sunday.
Jere, who watched as his side succumbed to a third defeat in their opening five games when falling 1-2 to Ngezi Platinum Stars, was clearly not amused by the turn of events early in the season.
He visited the team at their training session in Harare yesterday and demanded a quick turn-around.
“I have reminded them about the high expectations and culture of CAPS United.
“Some of the guys are new to the set up. They have to know it’s a big club with a rich history, a club which has its own demands, and the demands are very big.
“This is one of our worst starts to the season and we cannot go on this path for long. We need a quick turn around,” said Jere.
CAPS United supporters on Sunday denounced coach Chitembwe as Makepekepe slipped into the bottom three of the log standings after Match-day 5.
Jere said he understood the supporters’ anger, which he felt was justified.
However, the Murehwa West legislator feels Chitembwe has the capacity to steer the team back in the right path.
“On reflection, I think there was nothing unusual with what happened on Sunday especially when you consider that results are not coming as expected and that CAPS United is a big club with a passionate support base,” said Jere.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the CAPS United supporters for their peaceful conduct despite the emotions. They did not attack anyone and neither did they destroy property.
“They wanted to send a message. They expressed their feelings without any incident, and I salute the level of maturity and civilisation.
“Their concerns are everyone’s concerns here at CAPS United. When we took everything into consideration, we came to a logical conclusion that we cannot make important decisions based on emotions.
“It’s not an easy decision to sack a coach just after five games. Lloyd is not a novice. He won the league title with us in 2016 and came close in 2019 before he left for Harare City with a few games remaining in the season.
“If he had not left, I bet we were going to win our second title despite the financial challenges that we faced then. I’m glad the financial situation has improved now, and I believe once we hit the right chords, the results will start coming.”
Jere said the marathon WAS still a long way to go, with 29 more games on the roster. He added that the Makepekepe players were well incentivised.
“The season is just starting, there are so many games to play. There is nothing holding back the players. They get their money on time, and they are not owed. We can see they really want to play and win but it’s just that the results are evading them.
“Of course, we all want positive results but when we consider what happened during the pre-season, when we lost some of our key players, then you would understand where we are coming from and where we are going.
“CAPS United has assembled an almost new team and at this stage I believe any coach in a situation like ours will be trying combinations and strategies that are effective. Some nail it quickly and for others it takes a bit of time.
“Our team is not playing badly; we have suffered from defensive errors which I believe they are working on. We have got a competitive squad, and we will get the results that we want if we give the coach time and space.
“We have played some of the big games on our calendar this season, when you look at Ngezi Platinum and Scottland.
“So, I would like to urge CAPS United supporters and other stakeholders not to panic,” said Jere.
The Green Machine have another big game up next as they prepare for the trip to Bulawayo to face giants Highlanders this Sunday at Barbourfields.
Chitembwe has since taken full responsibility for his team’s poor results. But he said Makepekepe are looking forward to picking themselves up and continue positively with the race.
“This is what it is about because the season is not going to discontinue,” said Chitembwe.
“Next week it’s CAPS United versus Highlanders and what are we supposed to do?
“Go back to the drawing board and reflect on the past performance, reflect on things that we could have done better and also reflect on the things that should not have happened.
“So, this is what the game is all about. Try and dust yourself up as quickly as possible and move on with a lot of hope going into the next fixture. This is the thrust going into the next fixture.”
