Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
INCOMING CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi will begin his new role behind the wheel of a brand-new Toyota Hilux GD6, part of the generous package the Harare giants have lined up ahead of his official takeover in January. Chiragwi is set to leave Ngezi Platinum Stars when his contract expires on 31 December, but CAPS announced his arrival early, confident they had secured the man they believe can halt the club’s long decline from the heights last reached in 2016 under Lloyd Chitembwe.
The package is significant. Alongside the GD6, CAPS have agreed to pay his entire year’s salary upfront and clear the US$4 000 PSL fine imposed after a disciplinary case stemming from a heated clash between Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars. The club insists this is an investment in stability and ambition.
Club president Farai Jere said Chiragwi’s recent work speaks for itself. The 2023 championship with Ngezi and his consistency in the top four convinced CAPS that he is the coach to restore the badge.
“The coach has a proven record. He’s got a track record, he’s one of the top coaches in this country. He won the league recently and for the past four seasons, from the time he won the league, he’s always been in the top four, which is what we want for teams like CAPS United.
“We don’t want to be seen fighting relegation. So we settled for him, that’s why we had to be patient with him because we knew exactly what we wanted. Of course, I know there’s going to be a belief since he’s a CAPS United son, but we also looked at his performance; where he has gone, where he was, that’s what we looked at. So he’s the right man for this job,” said Jere.
Chiragwi will have a sizeable support cast. Ian Bakala stays on as his assistant after a difficult season where he guided the team to safety. The revamped technical group includes head of development Joseph Kamwendo from Malawi, new goalkeepers’ trainer Claudius Gundiza, incoming team manager Tinashe Nengomasha, and data analysts Gerry Muchakata and John Vera.
CAPS also unveiled 12 signings as part of a major rebuild aimed at reclaiming competitiveness from 2026 onwards. Seven players have followed Chiragwi from Ngezi Platinum Stars: Obriel Chirinda, Kudzai Chigwida, Nyasha Gurende, Delic Murimba, McDonald Makuwe, Richard Hachiro and Talent Chamboko.
The other additions are FC Platinum goalkeeper Wallace Magalane, midfielder Bret Amidu, wingers Davison and Darlington Marowa, and Malawian international Chawanangwa Kawonga.
“As you may be aware, the previous years from the last time we won the championship, things were not very well at CAPS United. You also might be aware that we used to sign our players around January, when everyone else had done their work, taking all the cream of the Premier Soccer League. But this time around, because our intention is very clear, by October we had finished signing the players we wanted.
“Those with contracts elsewhere, we spoke to their clubs and we agreed to have them come to CAPS United, starting from the 1st of January 2026. So, it’s already done business. For the first time, there’s a reason for us to believe that next year CAPS United is going to be very competitive. Our intention is very clear, we’ll be fighting for the honours,” said Jere.
Several players will move on, among them Love Raema Mabiala, Wayne Makuva, Adam Tende, Nyasha Chintuli and Jayden Bakari.
Jere said the club never abandoned its long-term plan regarding Bakala, whose temporary elevation to head coach was understood from day one.
“I think you can all agree with me Ian Bakala did very well under the circumstances. He came and inherited the team; it was not his team and his target was to fight relegation, which he did with the players he had. But we had to revert back to the setup which we had agreed with him. That is why it was very easy; that is why he signed this year with us.
“Because when he came in, he knew that he was going to be an assistant to Takesure Chiragwi. When that didn’t happen because his current club said no, we are not going to release the coach, we want him up to the end of the year. So we never dropped our plan. And he knew and he was aware that I’m here, standing in as a head coach, but the head coach is coming,” said Jere.
CAPS have also booked their pre-season camp. The team will travel outside the country from 12 to 29 February. Jere said payments and inspections were already complete as part of the club’s push to restore the old standard.
“The team is going to camp outside the country from the 12th of February to the 29th before the start of the season. All those things are already in place and where they are going to camp, the venue has already been paid and we have inspected the grounds. That is how serious we are in trying to retain the glory days of CAPS United. We want CAPS United to go (back) where it belongs.”
Chief executive officer Morton Dodzo said this is the earliest the Green Machine has ever wrapped up their transfer business.
“For the first time we have assembled our squad early in October. So I’m happy the presidium and my fellow management team were working closely and we did well. What we requested the presidium to provide, they provided. I’m sure that the incoming technical set up would also be very happy to say whatever they wanted has been provided. So we can’t wait,” said Dodzo.
Obviously Caps United can afford all the juicy incentives after Helcraw Water (Company belonging to Farai Jere) won the Harare City Council tender to revamp the City’s potable water system and supply smart water metres. I hope that “lucky” contract win translates into a league win next year.