adminAugustine Hwata Sports Reporter
FOR the first time in three months, CAPS United will be hoping to get at least a decent crowd when they host How Mine in a tricky Castle Lager Premiership soccer match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
CAPS United have not staged a weekend home game in the league since they beat Monomotapa 2-1 on July 21 at the National Sports Stadium and have been complaining on how they have been attracting pathetic crowds at their home matches that were fixtured during the mid-week.
On Saturday against How Mine, CAPS United, who are still smarting from their 4-1 drubbing by Black Mambas last Saturday, could also be hoping to use the match to gauge their strength against the same opponents, whom they will meet in a Mbada Diamonds Cup semi-final match next month.
During their first meeting at White City in April, goals from Dominic Chungwa and Hardlife Zvirekwi gave CAPS United a 2-1 victory but How Mine have since gone through a transformation to storm into the Mbada Diamonds Cup semis.
Hardworking midfielder Tendai Samanja will bounce back into the CAPS United squad after missing the defeat to Warumwa Warumwa.
CAPS United could also see Arnold Chivheya returning to the fold.
Saul Chaminuka, the CAPS United assistant coach, said their defeat to Mambas was a wake up call for them.
“The defeat is now past but I think it was a wake up call for us. Now we will be alert when How Mine come. I hope we get a good result over them so that they will know what to expect from us when they return to Harare for the Mbada Diamonds Cup match next month,” said Chaminuka.
Today CAPS United will step up their preparations with a work-out at the National Sports Stadium after training at Danny Bismark yesterday.
Some CAPS United players attributed their defeat against Mambas to fatigue after having played a hectic fixture that also involved back-to-back clashes against Chicken Inn in the Mbada Diamonds Cup and in the league.
“I think the draw for the Mbada Cup was fair but it’s only that we are meeting teams that we should be playing in the league again.
“Last time we played Chicken Inn in both league and cup games and now it’s How Mine. We hope to repeat that feat and win both games,” said Chaminuka.
Chaminuka said he has respect for How Mine, who have stunned giants Highlanders and Dynamos in previous meetings, and therefore said CAPS United cannot afford to be complacent.
In the other league match in the capital on Saturday, it will be a battle for survival when Motor Action host Black Rhinos at Motor Action Sports Club while Harare City will be aiming to keep their title hopes alive as they engage Buffaloes at Rufaro.
Harare City could be praying that Highlanders and Dynamos play to a stalemate at Barbourfields in a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash on Sunday so that the Sunshine City Boys will improve their chances of landing the league title.
On Sunday at Gwanzura, newly-appointed Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas could be leading the Gamecocks against a hapless Monomotapa side who are only waiting to be confirmed for Division One next season.
Fixtures
Saturday: FC Platinum v Shabanie Mine (Mandava), Motor Action v Black Rhinos (Motor Action Sports Club), CAPS United v How Mine (National Sports Stadium), Harare City v Buffaloes (Rufaro), Tripple B v Triangle (Dulibadzimu)
Sunday: Hwange v Mambas (Colliery), Highlanders v Dynamos (Barbourfields), Monomotapa v Chicken Inn (Gwanzura)
Online Reporter