adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
HARARE giants CAPS United resumed training yesterday after a four-day break as they stepped up preparations for a crucial league tie against traditional rivals Highlanders this Sunday.
The Green Machine are set to welcome Bosso at the National Sports Stadium in a showdown that may have strong repercussions for both teams in the title race.
The club’s players reported back for duty yesterday after coach Taurai Mangwiro decided to give them a short break from last Thursday to rest and flush out memories of a hysterical month.
Makepekepe need to focus as they still fancy their chances in the race with six games remaining in the league campaign.
It appears they have since put behind them the troubles, the divisions and the incidents of violence which rocked their camp in the last four weeks.
Team manager Luis Maio said they are looking to carry on from the 1-0 win they recorded in their last outing away at Black Rhinos two weeks ago.
“It was our wish that we continued training as a team, especially after that win at Black Rhinos, to keep the momentum but we realised the boys needed to recharge their batteries, they also needed time with their families so we are hoping everyone is now focused,” said Maio.
Makepekepe are currently sitting third in the log table with 42 points, four behind leaders Dynamos.
There are no major worries in terms of their health bill as all the players reported for training yesterday without complaints.
However, attacking midfielder Nicholas Alifandika and Pervington Zimunya were not part of the squad as they asked to be excused.
Maio said they are not expecting an easy match despite facing a Highlanders side that has been hamstrung by in-house problems of late.
The leadership at Bosso has been battling to contain a crisis which culminated in the premature departure of Zambian coach Kelvin Kaindu at the weekend.
Kaindu finally bade farewell, after three years of working with the Bulawayo side, as pressure mounted on him following a disappointing month in which their championship ambitions took a huge knock.
The club’s supporters, who reacted violently to their 1-3 home defeat to ZPC Kariba, were not amused by the Bulawayo giants’ poor run of late which saw them slipping seven points behind Dynamos in the league marathon.
Bosso lost their last two matches to Harare City and ZPC Kariba and have 39 points in the bag after 24 matches.
Maio said Makepekepe will not be tempted to dwell much into the opponents’ woes.
“I think this is going to be a tough match, no matter what is happening at Highlanders. It doesn’t matter Kaindu is no longer there.
“The league race is now at a crucial stage and every point now is valuable. We won our last game against Black Rhinos under difficult circumstances and we need to maintain that same spirit until the end of the season.
Fixtures
Saturday
Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Hartsfield), Chiredzi v Bantu Rovers (Chishamiso), ZPC Kariba v Triangle (Gwanzura), Harare City v FC Platinum (Rufaro)
Sunday
Buffaloes v Dynamos (Sakubva), CAPS United v Highlanders (National Stadium), Shabanie Mine v Chapungu (Maglas), Hwange v How Mine (Colliery)
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