Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GIANTS CAPS United have responded to the mounting pressure in their camp following a spate of poor results lately by giving coach Lloyd Chitembwe and his technical team a two-match ultimatum to turn the tide or face the axe.
The Green Machine fell to a fourth defeat on the bounce following a disappointing 0-1 home loss to minnows Bikita Minerals at Rufaro on Sunday, prompting the club’s management to read the riot act on the technical team.
CAPS United president Farai Jere yesterday told Zimpapers Sports Hub they have given Chitembwe and his assistants the next two matches against Yadah and FC Platinum, both at Rufaro, to save their jobs. In the meantime, the club has already begun the process of hunting for a new coach, with Zambian former CAPS united player Ian Bakala strongly linked with the job.
“We obviously had to look into our systems because results haven’t been coming as expected. As a club, we honestly believe we have got a good team, and the team is playing well. But if you are a coach and luck is eluding you like this, then you are bound to be replaced. It happens everywhere in the world. Maybe we can have better luck with another person in charge.
“So, we have resolved to give the entire technical team a two-match ultimatum while we discuss with a potential replacement who is coming from outside Zimbabwe. That coach is flying in tomorrow (today). We don’t want a situation where we will have a vacuum in our coaching department,” said Jere.
Chitembwe, who previously won the title with CAPS United in 2016, has experienced a poor start this season. He has led Makepekepe to a single win in seven starts. The team has also drawn once and lost five games, which makes this one of their worst starts to a league campaign.
Currently, Makepekepe are sitting second from the bottom of the table with four points from seven games. They have scored just four times and conceded eight goals.
Chitembwe had a three-year contract with CAPS United which was due for renewal this year.
The Green Machine had wanted a further three-year extension but developments in the last few weeks have necessitated a review of the plans.
