admin
a worried man. The Harare giants were tipped to be guaranteed a place among the top three teams, together with Dynamos and Highlanders, because of their broad support base and it was virtually certain they would get the numbers to make the tournament.
But the Green Machine are currently on fourth position, with less than four days of voting remaining, and just a few votes better than FC Platinum, who have been making a spectacular rally.
Four teams that get the most votes from supporters, through the NetOne sms voting platform, will take part in the tournament that begins next week.
The voting process, which opened last month, will close at midnight on Sunday.
The sponsors have introduced a new criteria for the participating teams this year, with fans voting for their favourite teams to play starting from the semi-final stage.
Supporters can cast unlimited votes for their teams and statistics released by the organisers this week show that Dynamos are leading the pack with 5 108 votes, a number which is almost double CAPS United’s 2 781 votes.
Surprise packages Monomotapa are on second place with 4 214 votes while Highlanders have 3 033 votes.
Makepekepe face a serious challenge from ambitious side FC Platinum, who are not far off with 2 701 votes.
The Zvishavane side were only 80 votes off the pace by Wednesday, lying in fifth position, and still have a realistic chance of making the last four.
It’s likely that FC Platinum, who could use their financial muscle to boost their votes on the sms platform, will get thousands of more votes in the remaining days, which are likely to see a huge rise in voting.
CAPS United fans will have to wake up from their slumber and play for their team, by also voting in numbers, in the next few days or the Green Machine will not be part of the four-team tournament.
Dynamos fans appear to be voting for their team, and also for Monomotapa, and that has put CAPS United in a difficult position.
Monomotapa do not have a strong support base but many DeMbare fans have a soft spot for the club, because of the stylish football they play and the way they tamed Highlanders during a decisive phase of the championship race, and have been pouring votes for Chinomakwa Nani.
Monoz were the only club to beat Bosso in the league last season, a key result that swung the pendulum in Dynamos’ favour in a tight race that was ultimately decided by goal difference after the country’s two biggest football teams finished tied on points.
Monoz also knocked Bosso out of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, making them the only side to beat the Bulawayo giants, in competitive games, last season.
Although they were beaten by DeMbare in the final of the Mbada Diamonds Cup, Monoz captured the imagination of many neutrals with their stylish football and they could be part of the group that is pouring votes for the Harare side.
DeMbare fans have been using the social media sites to campaign for votes for Monoz saying it would be a sad day if one of the three best teams in the league last year did not play in the season-opening tournament.
That has certainly complicated CAPS United position, with Bosso’s place all but secured, and with FC Platinum making a huge rally in the past week and closing the gap between them and the Green Machine.
Msiska, who was thrust to the hot seat following the ban imposed on his boss — Taurai Mangwiro — and the departure of Mkhupali Masuku, yesterday said he wanted his team to play in the NetOne Charity Shield to give his new-look side exposure before the start of the season.
CAPS are ranked among the top three teams, in terms of support base, but the negative publicity generated by the boardroom battles might have impacted heavily on their brand recently, something that could have killed the fans’ spirits.
Msiska, however, ruled out that the club’s supporters were lacking the motivation to spur their team on.
“I don’t think it’s an issue of our supporters not having confidence in their team. Maybe, some have not committed themselves to the voting while others may not have understood how the whole voting procedure is going about because it’s a new thing,” said Msiska.
“We are a competitive side and I wish the voting was going to continue after we have played our game (against Black Rhinos) this Sunday.
“As it stands, it appears a tricky situation unless we get more votes.”
CAPS United had a partnership with NetOne, who came in as the principal sponsors of the Green Machine, seven years ago.
This year’s NetOne Charity Shield tournament, which promises to be bigger and better, is set to be launched next week.
Traditionally, the winner of the Premiership title and the major cup tournament from the previous season played in the season-opening Charity Shield.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele yesterday said they have scheduled a meeting with the tournament organisers this afternoon to finalise on the venues, draws and date for the final.
Meanwhile, CAPS United have taken their preparations a step further as they engage Premiership returnees Black Rhinos in the ZNA Charity Shield at Rufaro on Sunday.
Msiska said the club, which lost several key players during the off-season, has since replenished their stocks by bringing in about 11 new faces.
“This is our first competitive game this year and we want our supporters to come in numbers because we are going to parade the probable team that should be playing this season,” said Msiska.
“We are very prepared for this game.
“Things could have been happening, but we are keeping focused.
“We are rebuilding our team and I am sure our new-look side will be able to deliver. We are just asking our fans to rally behind the team.”
Online Reporter