adminpoints to uplift themselves when they take on Monomotapa in a league tie at Rufaro tomorrow.
The Green Machine have sad memories of their last outing at Rufaro on July 17 when a rowdy section of their fans rained missiles on the field and forced the abandonment of their tie against Gunners.
CAPS United were trailing Gunners 2-0 in the 68th minute and what made the defeat painful was that Moses Chunga, the man whom a section of the Harare giants’ fans had pushed out, was the architect of their looming defeat.
A PSL disciplinary committee has since imposed a US$3 500 penalty on CAPS and awarded the game to Gunners on a 3-0 scoreline. Tomorrow the CAPS United technical team led by Maxwell Takaendesa Jongwe will looking for their first victory since being thrust into the hot seat three matches ago. At least, Jongwe is drawing confidence in that CAPS United finally managed to find a goal, albeit in the 1-0 defeat to Dynamos.
Before Evans Gwekwerere’s goal early in the first second half, CAPS had failed to find the target in their previous four games. Gwekwerere remains doubtful for the clash tomorrow after picking up a tendon injury during the Harare Derby but Jongwe could be forced to play with Washington Pakamisa as a lone striker.
CAPS also have seasoned striker Leonard Tsipa and forgotten forward Clive Kawinga.
It is in midfield that CAPS United could win the game with David Rediyoni, Stephen Alimenda, Asani Nhongo, Charles Chiutsa and Tendai Samanja all doing well.
With Ashley Rambanapasi, Pride Tafirenyika, Godknows Mangani and Marvel Samaneka available, CAPS United can as well fancy fielding 10 midfielders and goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda for a match. But Monomotapa coach Taurai Mangwiro said they will not be pushovers and hopes that his charges pick up from their 2-1 win over Chicken Inn at Rufaro.
Brian Mapfumo and predatory striker Makai Kawashi aided Monoz to the victory.
Monoz have Young Warriors midfielder Russel Madamombe, Blessing Bizeki, Morgan Mugombe and goalkeeper Tapiwa Mafunga in their ranks. In their corresponding meeting in week 13, Monomotapa held CAPS to a goal-less draw.
Another match tomorrow sees FC Platinum seeking to consolidate their position at the top of the table as they host Hwange at Mandava. The moneybags struggled to beat Chipangano at the Colliery until Donald Ngoma struck the goal that made the difference.
Tomorrow, Hwange will be trying to dent a blow to FC Platinum’s title aspirations and can gather courage from little Kiglon who battled all the way until falling to an injury time penalty converted by Menard Mupera.
A Luveve, Masvingo United will be adjusting to life without Luke Masomere who has dumped them for Shabanie.
Masomere is tipped to take over from Arnold Jani while Saul Chaminuka could be holding the fort at Una Una.
Gunners, who have been enjoying a new lease of life since Chunga took over, face police side Black Mambas at Morris Depot while Bulawayo could come to standstill as fading giants Zimbabwe Saints play Highlanders.
Saints have engaged Ephraim Chawanda as their coach and hope to rekindle their glory days of 1988 when they won the league championship with Chawanda as part of the team.
Fixtures
CAPS v Monomotapa (Rufaro), Black Mambas v Gunners (Morris), FC Platinum v Hwange (Mandava), Zim Saints v Highlanders (BF), Shooting Stars v Shabanie (Sakubva), Chicken Inn v Masvingo United.
Online Reporter