Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United haven’t broken into the top four, as result of an inferior goal difference, but their solid show in a 2-0 win at FC Platinum on Saturday served as a reminder of the sheer quality they possess.
Straight from an uninspiring goalless draw against Simba Bhora last week, the Green Machine put together an incredibly impressive performance that should have left their fans wondering how they easily surrendered the fight for the championship.
It was one of their most outstanding displays in recent years as they pinned down a Zvishavane side that had not lost yet alone concede under new coach Thabo Senong in five games across all competitions.
Before the game, there was however controversy when Makepekepe was locked out of the stadium by FC Platinum. The match then ended up starting 25 minutes later than scheduled.
Instead of letting that take a mental toll on them, CAPS United responded in the best manner possible, outplaying and outsmarting their hosts in all key moments of the game.
The result brought them to 51 points, the same as fourth-placed Dynamos who suffered a late heartbreak after letting in a last-gasp goal in their 0-1 defeat to table toppers Hardrock, but remained fifth due to their second-best goal difference.
It’s their performance against FC Platinum, however, on Saturday, that should give them the wings to finish the marathon in the top four.
Wingers Junior Bunjira and Davison Marowa, who refused to celebrate scoring against his former team, scored for Makepekepe to cap the delicious performance menu.
In reality, the 2-0 scoreline was a far cry from what the Green Machine did on that Mandava pitch.
But what will only matter for coach Takesure Chiragwi and his boys are the three points taken back to the capital.
“It always feels good to play away from home and get to pick all the points,” said Chiragwi.
“My boys came here and showed they wanted to play better football than the opponents. It’s good we ended up bagging the maximum points.
“I am really impressed with how the team carried themselves on the field of play.
“Certainly this is a massive boost for our top four ambitions but we have to work extremely hard for us to achieve that.
“There are three more games to play before the curtain comes down on the season. Those are nine points to play for and just need to be organised as a team, work hard and play well to get positive results.
“We have to take each game as it comes and see what happens at the end of the day.”
Makepekepe started the season well to correspond with a good pre-season in Malawi but somehow put their feet off the pedal deep in the second third of the term.
The Green Machine are also aiming to win the Chibuku Super Cup this season and if they manage to both end the season in the top four along with a trophy in their hands, it will be a highly successful year for a team whose eighth place finish in 2022 was the best in almost a decade.
