Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United coach Takesure Chiragwi has challenged his charges to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to preserve their spot atop the Castle Lager Premier Soccer log standings.
Chiragwi’s men face a MWOS side at Rufaro this afternoon that is fast developing into their bogey side after CAPS United struggled in their clashes against the Punters last year.
But their young coach’s main worry is the manner in which CAPS United are not burying their opponents, even when they would have been the dominant side.
They receive the Norton outfit while sitting just a point above Hardrock, who ironically have been ruthless, pumping nine goals in their last two wins.
Hardrock hammered fellow debutants FC Hunters 6-1 before silencing TelOne 3-0 in a Midlands derby at Ascot.
Chiragwi knows that their advantage at the top is too narrow, and any slip-up could see them being dislodged from the summit.
Yet Makepekepe have been showing a lot of quality in all but one department, their strike-force is failing to put away even the cleanest of chances.
Their bluntness was laid bare against Dynamos in the Harare Derby last Sunday when they failed to finish off the Glamour Boys despite getting several clear opportunities from one-on-one chances with the DeMbare goalkeeper, Harmony Nare.
Although they eventually won the derby 2-1, Chiragwi was left fuming over those missed chances. And he has been emphasising on finishing ahead of the match against MWOS.
“Obviously we are hoping for a positive result, especially playing at home. I think that’s what is on the ground like now.
“And the reflection of the job that the technical team is doing. I think that’s what we need to do. Because you see how many chances we are creating.
“It shows that they are being drilled properly to get into those scoring opportunities and chances.
“But now it’s their responsibility to use probably the right technique or the right decision at the right time when you get into the correct position of scoring,” said Chiragwi.
“But that one, it’s a matter of time. We just need to remind them and keep on doing those things because, you know, you need training for you to master the technique; it’s a repetition of the same things so that you can master it whenever the ball comes that way at a certain position.
“You know the technique to use. You know how the body orientation must be. Sometimes it’s a small margin that you’re just missing. It’s not much. Some body orientation, when you’re receiving the ball in the correct position of scoring, some are using the wrong technique of controlling the ball.
“So at the end of the day, these are coachable things that you just need to remind them.”
Chiragwi said he has been working on his team’s mindset so that they do not approach the match against MWOS casually, especially given that they are coming from posting a huge result against DeMbare.
“I think what we just needed to do after the Dynamos game was to have a good recovery from that high-intensity match. I think we have lost a lot of energy.
“You also need to be very selective and make sure that you also have the balance in terms of bringing back the energy,” he said.
“The games are very close. We also have another game on Saturday. So, I think it’s how you also need to work more on the psychological part and, also, obviously, on load management. I think that’s the key aspect now more than anything else.”
Chiragwi also wants CAPS United to quickly put behind them their famous win over Dynamos in the derby.
“But so far so good, and also the game that we’re playing tomorrow (today) is not going to be an easy game, especially coming from a sweet victory against Dynamos.
“We also need to work more psychologically with the players. That game is now water under the bridge.
“But now they are aware of that, and they know the objective of the club and also their responsibility as players.
“The moment you get the opportunity to play a match, you also need to deliver. And I think we are happy with the way these guys are also responding to the marathon that we are going through. We are working on the goals. We are putting more effort to score, which is a positive to us.”
Makepekepe will be without forward Alleny Mukombedzi, who suffered a knee injury and had to be stretchered off last Sunday, just minutes after coming on as a substitute.
However, the positive news is that the injury is not as serious as initially feared.
The Green Machine have never beaten MWOS, who are walking with a spring in their step after beating Chicken Inn 1-0 last week.
MWOS coach Lloyd Mutasa expressed confidence his Punters will get a positive result against Makepekepe.
“We are coming from a win in which we beat Chicken Inn 1-0.
“We have a better record against CAPS United since coming into the Premier Soccer League. I believe that can combine to help our cause.
“Of course, CAPS United are a strong team and we are expecting a tough game against them,” Mutasa said.
