tawandamusarurwa
Sports Reporter
THE CAPS United team exuded confidence last week as they wound up preparations for what could be the biggest test of their pedigree this season.
CAPS face champions FC Platinum at the National Sports Stadium in a high-stakes Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash this afternoon.
They are currently on top of the 18-team log table.
Makepekepe are unbeaten in four games and are yet to concede a goal.
It has been a refreshing start to a Premiership campaign by the 2016 champions, who have been associated with chaos in the last few seasons owing to off-field challenges.
Last year, they suffered their worst defeat in 40 years, when they were humiliated 6-2 by Manica Diamonds.
However, the present run of three wins and a draw has left coach Lloyd Chitembwe and his men upbeat.
But the magnitude of the threat posed by their next opponents, FC Platinum, is not lost on them.
Last week, club president Farai Jere and chief executive officer Charlie Jones watched training sessions ahead of today’s showdown.
“I am here to motivate the players and demand results, and also increase the winning bonuses for the players for our game on Sunday.
“I will be coming to training ahead of our big games,” Jere said.
Chitembwe welcomed the gesture.
“At the end of the day, it is down to doing small things and not about doing very big things, and him (Jere) coming is a very important step as it gives the players a new breath of fresh air,” said Chitembwe.
He, however, acknowledged that FC Platinum would provide a huge test for his charges.
“It looks like a very interesting match. We are playing a very structured team.
“It is a team with a lot of different qualities, and, at the same time, a team that has a clearly defined way of playing.
“In the same breath, I am sure we are equally in the same situation,” added Chitembwe.
“On a good day, I think, if we can express ourselves and we do not succumb to expectations, we stand a very good chance against FC Platinum.
“We equally have our qualities, which are very unique, and I strongly believe in the team we have.” He attributes his team’s fine start to teamwork.
“I can only be happy about the contribution of each member of the team because the season is still in its infancy . . .
“So, if these boys are capable of giving us what we have seen in the first four to five games, one can only imagine what happens after 10 to 12 games,” he said.
Should CAPS United avoid defeat, they will remain top of the log.
But victory for the visitors will see the champions taking over pole position.
With the other top two teams — Dynamos and Highlanders — inactive, focus will naturally be on the showdown between CAPS United and FC Platinum.
Dynamos and Highlanders will only return to league duties after clashing in the Independence Cup final, which is one of the highlights of the Uhuru Day celebrations in Mt Darwin on Tuesday.
Online Reporter