adminThe Green Machine was poised to take a giant leap forward at Gwanzura on Sunday, backed by the biggest crowd to watch their home matches this season, and with a chance to eat into Highlanders’ big lead after Bosso drew at Barbourfields.
Given that Hwange had struggled in the countdown to this match, including a 0-3 mauling by Gunners at home in their last encounter, everything pointed to a CAPS United win.
Makepekepe also fielded their latest acquisitions, Leonard Fiyado and Hardlife Zvirekwi and with Shingi Kawondera starting from the word go, it all looked good for the Green Machine.
But Hwange shocked Makepekepe, in the same fashion they had beaten the Green Machine at the National Sports Stadium last year, to all but confirm the departure of Moses Chunga.
Sean Connor, who appeared to have turned CAPS United around just a few weeks ago, must be cursing his decision to go back home to Northern Ireland on a short holiday.
Since then, nothing has worked for him and the pressure is now certainly there for him to deliver or be booted out.
The sight of the CAPS United fan, crying uncontrollably after the game, captured the pain that has been inflicted on the supporters by their misfiring team.
CAPS United will have to ask themselves some difficult questions this week.
Should they continue with both Connor and Lloyd Chitembwe, retaining the two centres of power in the technical team, which has failed to work?
Should they make changes and either leave Connor alone or leave Chitembwe in charge?
Something is terribly wrong with their midfield and it was so lifeless, on Sunday, it was a mockery of the lofty standards that were set by the likes of Joe Mugabe.
Kawondera played his heart out but, without a steady supply line, he will soon look ordinary in that green shirt.
There is a break for CAPS United to sort their house after PSL chief executive, Kenny Ndebele, yesterday said action will take a breather to allow the players to recharge their batteries.
But Dynamos, who were booted out of both the Champions League and the Caf Confederation Cup, will have to pay the price for their participation in the continental competitions as they have four crucial games that are still outstanding in the domestic league.
Dembare have to play against Highlanders, who will be at home at Barbourfields, in a re-arranged Battle of Zimbabwe fixture from round five in Bulawayo this
weekend.
The Glamour Boys still await to play in the derby against bitter rivals CAPS United.
They also are yet to play FC Platinum.
“The league is taking a break for two weeks,” said Ndebele.
“This is only for teams that have completed their matches and those still with outstanding game have to fulfil them.
“Dynamos has the highest number of outstanding games and they are big matches which warrant to be played on weekends.”
The PSL, Ndebele said, faced more challenges in the first half of this season as compared to the same period last year.
“I can say that we had faced more challenges this year than last year.
“Last year the league was smooth-flowing but this year we had a number of outstanding games.
“The challenge was that we had four teams playing in the Caf competition and it means a headache for the fixtures,” said Ndebele.
The league this season, Ndebele said, kicked off rather late.
“We started the programme late and we had not reached the half way during the period that the national team played three consecutive internationals,” said Ndebele.
Motor Action’s refusal to fulfil a Premiership game against CAPS at Gwanzura painted one of the low points for the league during the first half.
The Mighty Bulls defied authority to play at Gwanzura and were adamant that they should play at Motor Action Sports Club.
“We have four cases going for disciplinary hearing in the first half and that does not reflect well on the sponsors,” said Ndebele.
The PSL disciplinary committee was also called to work after CAPS United fans ran riot during a league game against Chicken Inn while they also set on the matter involving Highlanders and Harare City.
“It’s sad that these are the same problems were encounter time and never expect to repeat them,” said Ndebele.
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