Tendai Chara, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ON November 1, CAPS United will face Highlanders in the Chibuku Super Cup at Rufaro Stadium, with the Harare giants seeking to restore some pride in a competition that offers another opportunity to end their prolonged wait for major knockout silverware.
For a club whose history is steeped in trophies, the drought has become an uncomfortable reminder of how far the Green Machine have drifted from their glory days.
The Green Machine last won a trophy in 2017, when they claimed the Zimbabwe Charity Shield.
Since then, supporters have been waiting for another major domestic cup triumph to rekindle memories of the days when Makepekepe were feared in knockout football.
A defeat to Highlanders would further dent the club’s prestige and deepen questions about whether the famous “Cup Kings” identity still resonates with the current generation of players.
CAPS United earned that tag during their golden era, spanning the late 1970s to the late 2000s, when they established themselves as a formidable force in knockout competitions.
Their pedigree is reflected in their nine Castle Cup/Zifa Cup triumphs, although their last victory in the competition came in 2008, when they beat Eastern Lions 3-0 in the final.
But where has the winning touch gone, and why has the present generation struggled to translate the club’s rich tradition into success on the pitch?
Stix Mtizwa, a former CAPS United player, believes the problem goes beyond results, arguing that the current crop lacks a clear understanding of what it means to represent the Green Machine.
“The players we have today do not seem to understand the identity of CAPS United. When you put on that jersey, you must know what the club stands for and what is expected of you.
“CAPS United have always been associated with fighting spirit, commitment and a winning mentality, especially in cup competitions.”
Tineyi Meda, another former CAPS United player, echoed the same sentiments.
“In the past, players understood the responsibility that came with representing this club. You could be trailing in a match, but you never gave up because you knew the supporters expected you to fight until the final whistle.
“That identity seems to be missing,” Meda said.
The Chibuku Super Cup, in particular, has presented CAPS United with an opportunity to end their wait for silverware.
Since the competition was relaunched in 2014, CAPS United have failed to lift the trophy, with their best run ending in a semi-final appearance in 2023.
Such a record is difficult to reconcile with the reputation of a club that once prided itself on its ability to negotiate knockout assignments and deliver when the stakes were highest.
The inaugural Zifa Munhumutapa Challenge Cup presented another opportunity to change the narrative, but CAPS United failed to seize it.
On October 3, the Green Machine bowed out at the quarter-final stage after losing 3-1 on penalties to FC Hunters at Rufaro Stadium.
CAPS United appeared to have taken a decisive step towards the semi-finals after Ishmael Wadi scored twice in the first half to give them a commanding 2-0 lead.
However, FC Hunters mounted a spirited second-half comeback to force a 2-2 draw before prevailing in the penalty shootout.
The defeat was another painful setback for a club desperate to restore its reputation as a cup-winning force.
Blessing Maulani, a staunch CAPS United supporter, said he was tired of watching cup-winning opportunities slip away.
“I love this team, but I am very disappointed by our failure to win trophies.
“The players lack fighting spirit, especially in knockout competitions. They do not know what it means to play for this great side,” a visibly unhappy Maulani said.
Coach Takesure Chiragwi has previously expressed his desire to guide CAPS United to silverware, stressing the importance of creating a new chapter in the club’s history rather than relying on the achievements of previous generations.
Justice Mugota Chasura, who coaches Batanai, a Northern Region Division One team, said a lot needed to be done for CAPS United to reclaim their lost glory.
“Reclaiming the tag will require more than passionate speeches or appeals to past achievements.
“The club needs a clear football strategy, astute recruitment, stability in the technical department and a squad capable of maintaining high standards throughout a demanding campaign,” Chasura said.
The Green Machine must rediscover the winning mentality that once made them feared in knockout football. Until they do, the “Cup Kings” tag will remain a reminder of former glory.
