daniel chigunwe
Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
CAPS United coach Lloyd Chitembwe says the Green Machine have put behind them the disappointment of losing the Harare Derby and is looking for an appropriate response by his team when they face Yadah in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at the National Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The Green Machine were unbeaten this season until the 0-2 loss to bitter rivals Dynamos last Sunday, on their seventh outing.
It was a bitter pill for the Makepekepe family, considering the Derby is their biggest match on the calendar, but Chitembwe yesterday they had since dealt with the disappointment and were ready to pick up the pieces.
“A very positive response is what we are looking forward to and with the way we have prepared this week the boys have given me the assurance that it’s very possible to correct the mishap of last week,” said Chitembwe.
“I think what is critical is obviously to understand how we lost the match. It was not a consequence of poor performance. I thought we played quite well but we conceded two technical mistakes and that was the difference.
“I am sure there were certain moments of the game that we dominated and there were also certain moments that we did not manage quite well.
“Overall, I am sure the boys are aware of how it happens and what should have been done to avoid such kind of situations. It’s very important for, not only me as a coach, but for them as professional footballers as well, to understand that the day did not belong to us, with the way we lost that match.” Makepekepe were also left with the task of assessing their defence, which had only let in one goal in six games.
In fact, the late goal they conceded against FC Platinum in their 1-1 draw at the giant stadium was a subject for discussion after replays showed the player who provided the assist appeared to be in offside position.
But the CAPS United defence and their goalkeeper Tonderai Mateyaunga were clearly culpable for the two goals conceded against Dynamos and Chitembwe does not want to see a repeat of the chaos.
“It was very uncharacteristic of our team to make very crucial mistakes and get punished. It’s one game that we want to put behind us. These things are bound to happen.
“There is never a perfect season and what is more important is to focus on the game that is coming up and make sure we correct certain things,” said Chitembwe.
Makepekepe dropped to fourth but they have an opportunity to reclaim top spot tomorrow, at least overnight, if they win against Yadah. But they are not expecting an easy ride against Expense Chitukutuku’s side.
Yadah have been credited for playing exciting, flowing football but they have not been able to transform their dominance into wins. They only have two victories to their name in seven outings.
“Every single game that we play in the Premiership is a challenge, regardless of who you are playing,” said Chitembwe.
“For your own information, I am one kind of a person who enjoys Yadah play because they play football the way it should be played and they play with a lot of imagination.
“So it will be very interesting to see the two teams that basically have the same kind of philosophy in the way they want to play.
“So it will be very fascinating for me in particular to see how we can compete against Yadah.”
Online Reporter