adminThen, at the end of it all, there was that flurry of activity, in the final 10 minutes of their match against Chicken Inn, which gave their supporters a window of hope that tomorrow could bring a better day.
The Green Machine didn’t come into the battle for the NetOne Charity Shield at Mandava as favourites because just about everyone conceded this was a project that was being built from scratch.
They battled long and hard, at times showing the character that had vanished for the better part of last year, to beat hosts FC Platinum in a marathon shootout in the semi-finals on Saturday.
But they were never showed up, the following day, for the grand finale, until 10 minutes from the end, when the game had, by then, been taken away from them by a determined Chicken Inn.
Fatigue might have played a part and, after an off-season of turmoil where their preparations didn’t go according to plan, they certainly were not the fittest team at Mandava.
But that can be sorted out, with time, and coach Brenna Msiska has a lot to work on as he reflects on two contrasting days for the Harare giants.
The CAPS United fans were in dreamland on Saturday and they have every reason for that after their team battled back, against a tough opponent playing in their backyard, and refused to be bullied.
In the end they were rewarded, by that victory in the lottery, to set the stage for a battle against Chicken Inn, where they were the slight favourites, in the final.
Msiska will be concerned about how his team just didn’t fight, for the better part of the final match, although he will be charmed by the way they came back in the last 10 minutes.
Some will find comfort that this is a new project but eight of the players that CAPS United fielded in the final against Chicken Inn are all familiar to the challenges of football in the Premiership.
Six of them — Arnold Chivheya, Blessing Zabula, Hardlife Zvirekwi, Leonard Fiyado, Tapiwa Khumbuyani and Rahman Kutsanzira — were regular features in the team that played last year.
Two of them, Tawanda Nyamandwe and Joseph Mutambiranwa, played for Monomotapa last season and have seen duty for Motor Action and Eastern Lions in the past.
Zvirekwi was outstanding on Saturday and came to life in the dying stages of the game on Sunday and remains the team’s most prized asset and his form will be very crucial in their battle for success.
Fiyado scored once, in two games, and that’s not a bad start, especially against a background that he was also on target when they lifted the Zimbabwe National Army Charity Shield last week.
Kutsanzira, though, looks lost and was withdrawn after just half an hour on Sunday after having failed to last the distance the previous day.
Question marks remain about the solidity of the defence and while ‘keeper Winston Chiwetu was the hero, with his penalty conversion on Saturday, he was vulnerable the next day.
Skipper Khumbuyani said CAPS United put themselves under pressure by allowing Chicken Inn to take a 2-0 lead before the breather.
“We started off very slowly and I think it was because of fatigue because we played another high-intensity game the previous day,” said the captain.
“By the time we picked up the right tempo it was too late. We had conceded some silly goals and it was always difficult to come back from such a setback.
“We need to continue working hard and I am glad we have a good team and the youngsters in the team have not disappointed although playing in the Premiership is still a new experience for some of them.”
CAPS United received US$40 000 for coming second and, in a period when balancing the books has been a difficult issue for them, the windfall will relieve some of the pressure.
The players also enjoyed some rich pickings as NetOne paid them US$150 each, in allowances, for each of the two days meaning that they took home US$300 for the weekend retreat in Zvishavane.
Former FC Platinum captain, Zephaniah Ngodzo, has tipped his new side Chicken Inn for more success this season after helping the team to clinch their maiden silverware on Sunday by winning the NetOne Charity Shield at Mandava.
The Bulawayo side emerged top of the crop after beating CAPS United 3-2 in the final of the four-team tournament courtesy of goals from Marshal Marima and double scorer Tendai Mukambi.
They had also beaten Monomotapa 2-1 the previous day in the semi-finals.
Ngodzo said he was charmed by the work ethic he found at his new club and believes the success on Sunday was a good starting point for the new season.
Ngodzo is one of the several senior players that were shown the exit by the big spending Zvishavane side during the off-season and, together with midfielder Cabby Kamhapa, they moved to Bulawayo to join the Gamecocks.
“One good thing about this club is that it is very ambitious,” said Ngodzo.
“It’s very unfortunate that they finished last season without silverware but they did everything to fight for recognition and finishing third on the log standings.
“The team spirit is good here and I am so excited I have won a medal with Chicken Inn in this first tournament of the season. Hopefully it’s a sign of more things to come.”
Chicken Inn started off at high pace with some exciting football early on and were rewarded in the 18th minute when Marima opened the scoring.
Mukambi then struck twice either side of the half to give the Gamecocks a 3-0 lead by the hour mark.
But CAPS United rallied back with late goals from Zvirekwi and Fiyado in the last 10 minutes.
Chicken Inn, however, held on for a thrilling victory and pocketed US$60 000 while Makepekepe got US$40 000 for reaching the final.
Ngodzo, who appears to have settled in the system after playing the whole 90 minutes, said he was happy with the continuity at Chicken Inn as they managed to retain most of the players from last season.
Ngodzo is hoping to revive his career following a disappointing spell at FC Platinum during his last days at Mandava. Like many of his colleagues at Chicken Inn, the former Warriors rightback said he is aiming to improve from his show last season.
The Gamecocks are now in their third season and would like to better their third place finish they achieved last season under the late Adam Ndlovu.
Chicken Inn coach Mandla Mpofu said the victory was a big boost ahead of the new season but was worried with the way his team conceded late goals in the final.
“In terms of our strength in defence I think we were the best among the competing teams but I am not happy with the way we conceded those two goals.”
Online Reporter