Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo in LILONGWE, Malawi
CAPS United youthful pair of Kennedy Mpomba and Shawn Mzinde are not expecting anything less than regular game time in the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.
The pair had limited roles on the field last year, when the Green Machine battled for their Premiership status for much of the term.
They, however, did show loads of potential which led new coach Takesure Chiragwi into retaining them in the squad.
The duo is part of the Green Machine currently in Lilongwe, Malawi for preseason.
Their zeal has always been on show since the team arrived last week, and on Sunday Mpomba was thrown straight into the thick of things, starting in a friendly tie against Silver Strikers at Silver Stadium.
Along with another huge prospect, Kunashe Chando, and Brett Amidu, Mpomba got a role in the midfield.
The West Ham United Academy product then delivered a show for the archives, dictating the game with so much supremacy and conviction.
He started the process that led to CAPS United’s first goal in their 3-0 mauling of the bankers.
The 20-year-old played just two games last season for CAPS United as the team’s priority slowly became survival, but he is now raising his hand to get a consistent role on the pitch.
Similarly, Mzinde wasn’t a regular last season, but the former Harare City man is also showing just how good he could be for Makepekepe this year.
He came on as a substitute in that Silver Strikers match and gave a good account of himself.
“I think throughout the season, I want to be very good.
“I think for me, I think I will be there just to showcase what I can do because I feel like I have the qualities to play, and I think it’s just about trusting the process and just working hard,” Mpomba said.
He added that the team-building and bonding exercise has helped him and the team in a huge way.
“I think, like I said, the players we’ve brought in, I think, and those that have stayed, we’ve made each other stronger, especially on the pitch, and even off the pitch, we’re talking a lot, we’re asking each other how we can improve,” said Mpomba.
“When we come to training, when we do everything passing, it’s all sharp. I think we’re just gelling a lot. “We’ve gelled very quickly. It’s been like a month, I think, a month or two, and we’ve gelled quite a lot.
“And even in the games, you could see that the conditions were tough, but as a group we stayed together. I think we’ve assembled a very strong team.
“I think since we started training, there’s been a lot of competition, so it’s making everyone better every day. From time to time, position to position, everyone is working hard, so it’s keeping everyone on their toes, which is strengthening the team.”
Mzinde acknowledges that it won’t be easy to play regularly in the team this coming year but he believes he will be able to play and help the team.
He said: “This year we’ve got a great squad, and I think we’re going to do well because we have many players in many positions, so anyone who’s going to be playing for the team is going to give great work for the team and make the team do well because we have great, quality players here.
“I know we’re going to do well in all the games so anyone who’s going to come in the game is going to contribute to the team so that we can earn points so that we can fight for the league.
“I know this year we’re going to be fighting for the league, so I hope everything goes well.
“This year is for me to get my name out there so more people can know me and the way I play.
“Last year I wasn’t getting more game time, this year I’m focusing on getting more game time and playing well so I can get the confidence to be able to fight for my place in the first team.
Chiragwi said having more youngsters with hunger can help the team in a huge way.
