Caps United burns

Nkosilathi Sibanda, Bulawayo Chiefs 2-1 Caps United

CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe has hinted that there could be a hidden hand at play, with a plot of interfering with his work, in what could soon force him to quit.

So frank was the coach as he attributed that his team’s prior 2-1 loss to Chicken Inn was a result of what he best described as elements burnt down on having the Green Machine collapse under his watch. Chitembwe, after the match played at Luveve Stadium yesterday, stepped out of the pitch putting on a heavy face. He exchanged a few greetings with visibly disappointed groups of fans, the coach looked shaken. He was not his usual self. His demeanour was enough to show all was not well in his camp. In his post-match brief, Chitembwe pulled an unexpected salvo, letting it all out that Makepekepe has now been invaded by detractors.

He said so, in a rather polite way, seemingly shying away from washing the team’s dirty linen in the glare of the footballing world. The Saturday afternoon loss to Amakhosi Amahle must not be blamed on his players, he said.

“If Caps United has to go forward, it needs someone else, not myself,” said Chitembwe, in what was an indication of his intention to quit.

“I at times ask if I am now the one who is an impediment to the success of the club, considering the amount of work, energy and effort that I have put. I will seriously consider my future participation. It is premature for me to make a decision but it’s something that I am considering. This is something I will share with the boss but, I also want time when I will be part of the supporters and rally behind the team. I don’t want to be seen destroying what I have managed to build,” said the coach.

The loss to Chiefs was the second on the run, having suffered another 2-1 defeat to Highlanders at Barbourfields last week. Chitembwe and his boys have not had it easy since relocating from Harare. The Gods have shut out their fortunes and the coach has it that “bad influencers” within the club are loosening spanners.

“It is disappointing, losing 2-1 on the trot but, what is more disappointing being the fact that the loss was not a consequence of poor performance. I feel there are certain things we need to address as a football club,” said Chitembwe, his eyes cast down.

He said the team needs to manage its affairs well if it considers achieving anything in the future.

“I have been in football for a while, particularly at Caps United as coach and player but, when I see certain things that are not football-like it really disturbs me. There are some team dynamics that need to be managed well for the team to achieve greatness. In this case, it is disappointing when some people are putting effort to add on negative energy in trying to wrestle in the way I do things.

All the same, it is a result that I would personally not take exception to. This has been happening for a while now and if my memory serves me well, there are games that we were supposed to win but we didn’t.”

Meanwhile, the winning camp was all jovial to have crushed the visitors.

Bulawayo Chiefs new coach Joseph Sibindi could have just thrown a party. Being handed over a win on his first game in charge was all what a newbie needed on a day out at work.

“The boys played well. The coach can only contribute 10 percent and the rest comes from the players,” said Sibindi.

The coach, who joined Chiefs on Tuesday said all he did to outsmart Chitembwe was to psyche his charges and ready them for a win. 

“I worked on the players’ mindset and tried to make them understand that everything depends on what we call competence motivation.”

Teams:

 Bulawayo Chiefs:

I Ali, K Sibanda, B Nyahunzvi, M Msebe (N Ncube 70th minute), A Ncube, O Chirinda (N Gama 70th minute), B Rusinga, D Phiri, M Gasela, F Moyo, F Matare (B Vheremu 76’).

Caps United:

A Reyners, G Murirwa, I Zambezi, H Chapusha, K Madzongwe,  P Musaka (C Rupiya 38th minute) , B Sarupinda, J Tulani, P Bamusi (T Rusike 77th minute), I Nyoni, W Manondo (J Daka 77th minute)